Jesus said in John 15:5 "I am the vine: you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." From that we recognize that we are powerless to change ourselves or the world (bear fruit), but Jesus is more than able to do all things! Ours is to abide in him, which includes the regular habit of prayer. His is to answer prayer according to what his wisdom, love and power determine best.