Prayer: Practical not Magical

We serve such an amazing, beyond any measure or comprehension, Almighty God. With His Word alone, He set everything into existence in six days. He created an infinite universe in one day, and designed all life on this tiny planet for His pleasure. Best of all, He made man in His image, to be in communion with Him. He created us to love us and for us to worship Him; all for His pleasure. He created us for Him.
Our God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He can do what He wants when He wants. So why doesn't He answer all our prayer requests right away? We pray something that His word clearly says is His will, and He also said "whatever you ask in My (Jesus) name, will be given unto you." So a quick prayer in Jesus name should fix it, right? Well, we were created for His pleasure and purpose. So it would make sense that we are here to bring His Kingdom and will to earth as it is in Heaven. James told us to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only. We could pray for the man at the corner, begging for food every day, whole-hearted; "Lord! Please provide food and clothing and shelter for this man! Heal his leg and let him find You, O God" We could pray this for days, but prayer is not magical. Bread, clothes, a house and crutches aren't going to magically appear on the street corner and he'll be ok from that point on. Our Father wants to use us, His children, to bear His image, and show His love. He wants to use us to bring the man food, and clothing, and tell him about salvation through Christ. It's practical, not magical.
We have been praying fervently for our family in Christ overseas from Kenya, to Peru, to Bhutan for help, finances, protection and favor. Many are in hiding from the government, spreading the Gospel underground. We desire so strongly to be able to go over and help in any way that we can. Building orphanages, smuggling Bibles, bringing medical supplies, and evangelizing are a few of the areas of need for our family overseas. We know that all of our prayers do not return void and what a privilege and honor it is that we can be used by Almighty God to carry out His will. Paul said ["...he who plows should plow in hope and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of hope. If we have sown spiritual things (prayer) for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things (support)?" 1 Cor. 9:10-11] We are humbly asking for your prayers, and financial support to bless those less fortunate and to bless God. What a blessing it is that we, as one Body of Christ, are to work together with different functions, but with one purpose: to spread the Gospel.
Prayer: It is practical, and not magical.