How do we know that prayer is effective in difficult times?

The effectiveness of prayer is rooted in the character of God as one who hears and responds to the cries of His children. Jonah's experience highlights this as he cries out from the belly of a fish, showcasing that no situation is too dire for God to intervene. In Psalm 107, we learn that our cries in trouble can lead to deliverance, as God commands the storms and calms the seas (Psalm 107:28-29). Therefore, the assurance provided in Scripture that God hears prayer encourages believers to bring their supplications to Him, believing that, as Jonah professed, 'salvation is of the Lord' (Jonah 2:9). This understanding emphasizes that prayer aligns us with God’s will and invites His mercy into our lives.