The power of prayer in recovery

An experience of the power of prayer in my recovery came shortly after completing Step 3 for the first time, about 4 years ago.  My wife and I had had some words that morning before I left for work.  Both of us were quite upset.  On the way to work I remembered that my sponsor had suggested that if I was disturbed about or felt a resentment towards someone, I should pray for that person.  I figured, okay, why not give it a try.  So, on the way to work, I silently prayed for my wife (I was car pooling, so I couldn’t do it out loud).  I don’t remember what I said, but that’s all I did.
 
When I got home from work that night, I happened to mention that I had prayed for her on the way to work.  “About what time would that have been?” she asked.  I told her the approximate time.  She said: “Because just as I was leaving for work, I felt what seemed like an electric shock pass through me.”  That would have been within half an hour of my praying for her.  I was completely blown away.  What more convincing did I need?
 
So should I pray for a Ferrari? Well, I admit that I have been guilty of doing just that.  I have a weakness for them - actually I lust after them).  But about a month ago, I received an email from the company, inviting me to a test drive of a new model they’d just brought out.  There was no cost involved, and I was able to bring a friend.  For twenty glorious minutes, I sat behind the wheel of a Ferrari, breezing along.  There was no hard sell, only a request that I complete an evaluation.  And on top of that, there was free food!  So, in a sense, God did answer my prayers.  I will likely never own a Ferrari, but to have driven one was a thrill of a lifetime.  God truly can do what I’m completely incapable of doing.
 
I use prayer on a regular basis, mostly asking God to help keep me sober, provided I take the appropriate actions.  I pray for people I’m having difficulty with (other members, my wife, my next door neighbour).  It doesn’t change them, but it sure makes me feel better about them. And it helps me to remember that they’re probably doing their best, like I’m trying to do.  I pray for people who are suffering, who may have recently experienced a loss.  I don’t know if it helps them, but it certainly helps me to get away from my own selfish needs and desires.  Because, basically, I’m self-centred, and one of the remarkable things that this program has done for me is to help me think more about others and less about myself.