I am so unclear as to how I survived before I understood prayer. Don’t get me wrong, I am no prayer expert but prayer has truly changed my life. I learned so many things when studying Rick Warren’s 40 Days of Prayer and changed my prayers. I would like to share with you some things I discovered in this study and how my prayer improved.
The first thing I learned was the purpose for prayer. I knew God wanted me to pray to talk to Him and connect more closely to Him. I learned that was too simple of idea. It was much more.
The first purpose for prayer is to show my dedication to God. By showing my dedication to God I am showing God I need Him. I am also letting Him know that I am counting on Him and I am dedicating myself through prayer to my loving and Heavenly Father.
The second purpose is to communicate with God. When I communicate with God (and listen with my heart) He is able to help me know His will and plan for my life. I always remind myself too that if I don’t have the words for prayer God will interpret my tears or thoughts. He is remarkable at understanding all forms of communication.
Prayer also is an act of supplication. Now as you know I am no wordsmith so I had to look this word up. Supplication means to humbly plead to God for my request. Meaning I pray the same request often to show God this is a serious matter and I am dedicating myself for His help and resolve.
The last purpose for prayer is an act of cooperation. I want to show God that I am following and cooperating for His will and plan for me. I am standing in faith and trust.
Now it is also important to pray confidently and Rick also taught steps to take to be confident in prayer. I can pray with confidence for these following reasons.
I know that God is a caring Father. I know this because of 1 Peter 5:7.
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
I know God is a constant Father. We can always rely on Him to stay the same. This is taught in Malachi 3:6 where it says,
“For I am the Lord, I do not change.”
I know that God is a good and close Father. I love the worship song “He’s a Good, Good Father”. There is a line in the song that says, “You are perfect in all Your ways.” which is my favorite line. It is also shown in 1 Chronicles 16:34.
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
I must always remember God is never too busy for me no matter how small my problem is. He loves to help me with the things I desire. He is sympathetic to my hurts and pains. He came to us in the flesh, was betrayed and died on the cross so He knows what emotional and physical hurt feels like. He felt this so He could know us better in all forms.
Another reason I can pray confidently is because God is competent. He can handle anything AND everything for us. He has every possible answer.
You know I once heard the phase, “If it’s big enough to worry about, it’s big enough to pray about!” I have never forgot about this. When anxiety creeps into my thoughts I begin to pray. I few minutes of prayer comforts me and removes the thoughts of anxiety. Anxiety cannot live where love lives and God is love.
Another very important point is that God is the creator of everyone but He is not the Father of all. In order to have God as your Heavenly Father it is imperative to accept Jesus Christ as my Savior. Those that have not accepted Christ have not opened the door to our Father. Once Jesus is accepted in my life as my Savior I will know the most giving, loving, supportive, forgiving and Almighty Father. It is said that God love never wears out for me. Agape love (which God gives us) is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love and is the highest, most pure form of love.
I think it was also important in Rick’s study to know that God responds to those that are humble. We are conditioned tobe proud and boastful and God wants the opposite. He knows of our accomplishments and proud moments. I should share these moments with Him and not the world.
I must not forget I am to conform to His plan through alignment with Him. My path has been laid out long before I was born and it is His perfect plan for me if I will just walk it.
I would also like to share with you how to turn to God in prayer in times of extreme despair or need. The main thing to know is to turn to God. Don’t rely on your knowledge or abilities, rely on God’s. It is critical to remember how big God is. If I stood on a mountain and looked at an ant at the base of the mountain, that ant would be how God sees my problem. It is tiny to Him because He is so big and magnificent. Instead of seeing that problem as an ant we see it as Mount Everest because we don’t have God’s perspective.
Also when I am at my weakest I remind myself of what God has already done for me in tough times. Reminding myself that God has worked miracles in my life comforts me that He can and will help me. I also remember God’s promises. Those promises of eternal life, protection, forgiveness, peace and so much more. He offer this to me just through His love.
As you pray admit your faults and shortcomings to God. We are not perfect in any way and verbally telling Him you recognize this builds your character in prayer. When you go to God in prayer being you and relaxing in your faith prayer becomes as easy as breathing. Remember to thank God in advance for His blessings and know He will turn your battles into blessings.
As I close this blog I thank you for allowing me to share what I am constantly learning. I am so joyful in spending each day in prayer and improving my relationship with Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit that I just want to share everything. Please do not ever procrastinate prayer. Turn to God as quickly as you turn to your phone to read the text that just arrived. Your phone can wait, God must not have to wait for your attention and prayers. Go to Him first, often and always. My love-LoLo
This verse sums everything up.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
gratefulgratitude.net 