Praying the Way We’re Made

I will devote time to pray for those God has brought into my life and the needs He lays on my heart.

Verse

Matthew 26:41 (NLT)

 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

 1 Thessalonians 3:10 (NLT)

Night and day we pray earnestly for you, asking God to let us see you again to fill the gaps in your faith.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT)

Never stop praying.

Thank you, God, that you invite us to participate your kingdom work through prayer. Thank you for the reminder that we are to keep watch and pray, as a way to resist the temptations that will come our way. You don’t leave us defenseless. You give us a way out before we even find ourselves trapped in the enemy’s snares.

God, we know our spirit is willing, but our body is weak. Please strengthen us and uphold us with your righteous right hand. Use us to intercede on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Christ, that together we may find our strength in you.

May we indeed fill the gaps in the faith for our friends and family within the body of Christ.

God, remind us daily of the calling and privilege to devote our hearts, minds, and time to prayer. 

May we be earnest in our prayers and not simply checking off a spiritual “to do” list.  God, give us the determination and desire to never stop praying for the needs you allow us to see and feel.

In the Strong Name of Jesus, Amen.

Prayer is about connecting with God in the exact way He made each of us.

How would you describe your prayer life? Do you find yourself only praying “on the go,” lifting up your needs to the Lord moment by moment? Or do you find that praying requires quiet in order to concentrate and focus your heart authentically connecting with God?

Have you ever thought about how many factors are at play when it comes to cultivating a robust prayer life?

Our schedules can make or break it, right? The demands upon us can drive us into prayer or steal our attention away. Have you ever consider how our personalities, especially in regards to our communication style, can also impact the way our prayer life looks? Chatty Cathy’s won’t have nearly as much trouble talking with God compared to those whose words are few and far between.

The kind of communication style seen in our most intimate relationships is likely reflected in our prayer life, too.

You might guess that I’m a words girl, whether I’m writing or talking, and so I not only have a lot to say to my husband but also to God. When it comes to my prayer life, I have journals filled with my thoughts and requests. But the question is how am I doing at listening to the Lord and sitting long to hear His still small voice? Can you relate?

My husband, on the other hand, speaks only when necessary. He simply doesn’t feel like much needs to be said. He’s not filled more than one page in one journal in all our years together, but that’s not evidence of his lack of prayer life. Does he struggle at times to express himself to the Lord? Yes, but does that mean his prayer life doesn’t exist? Not at all.

When it comes to evaluating our prayer life, the worst thing we can do is compare ourselves.

Prayer is about connecting with God in the exact way He made each of us.

It’s not about the number of words we use or don’t use.

It is about using the words we have to lift up to the Lord the needs we see.

It’s not about using a journal or illustrating a Bible.

It is about taking the time to speak to God about those we’re called to love . . . our friends and family and enemies, too.

It’s not about making lists or following a formula.

It is about paying attention to what God says to talk to Him about, like temptation and fear and worry

It’s not about getting what we want, simply because we ask.

It is about yielding our hearts and minds and desires to the Lord, seeking His will to be done.

Prayer isn’t simply us rambling on to the Lord. It isn’t about asking for what we need so that life goes a little bit easier. Prayer is about slowing our lives down to lay our requests before the God of the Universe while seeking His will for His kingdom here on earth. God has a voice as much as we do, so prayer should be about hearing Him as much as it is about us speaking up about our needs.

Prayer is really a matter of connecting with God in an open and honest two-way conversation. 

Prayer is also about co-laboring with Him in His plans as we intercede on behalf of His children. It’s about confessing our sin and getting right with Him. It’s about receiving His forgiveness and responding with humility and gratitude. It’s about praising God for who He is and what He has done, even if it doesn’t turn out how we expected.

Being devoted to prayer isn’t simply a good idea, it’s a necessary step of faith out of obedience to the Lord’s instructions. He tells us to pray and also what to pray for, so it’s not like we have an “out.” Regardless of our communication style, we are to be a people of prayer. And in taking up this call, we not only draw closer to Him but also participate in His kingdom work.

What steps can you take this week to become a woman devoted to prayer?

If you need creative ideas to jump start your prayer life, consider this simple resource.


 

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