Today's Step: Make your prayer life even more effective.
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Today will come with its challenges; that is simply part of life. Some days have more challenges than others; however, each day we find opportunities to grow forward in our faith, or to shrink back in frustration.
When you stop to intentionally fill your heart and mind with the knowledge of your great God, as well as all the resources He offers, you will feel a shift happen in your soul. Choosing this focus will cause your heart to rejoice and will lead you to pray in greater faith and trust that He is able to do immeasurably more than you could ask or imagine.
Such a focus on God will also lead to an attitude of thanksgiving in our hearts. Thankfulness changes the way we see, and the way we walk.
Father God, today I want to go step-by-step through my day with my heart rejoicing because You are in my life; I want to pray with complete trust, knowing that You will guide me; and, I want to walk with gratitude and thanksgiving. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit and enable me to grow through my challenges today. Thank you for Your constant love and presence in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Questions: Do you take time to intentionally learn about the character of God so as to fill your mind and heart with the knowledge of His greatness? How has this affected your ability to give thanks in trying circumstances? Do you believe it is possible to “rejoice always”?
Become a Prayer Mentor: If you know God and can send an email, you're qualified.
“Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to You to hide me. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” (Psalm 143:9-10)
I’ve been thinking a lot about prayer lately. Maybe it’s because I need prayer like I’ve never needed it before – well actually I’ve always need it. But it just seems like prayer has taken the forefront of my mind and heart recently. But it hasn’t always been this way for me.
To be honest, I have wrestled a lot with prayer.
*Why does God want us to pray when He knows what we need even better than we know it ourselves?
*What good does my prayer even do? Who am I to change God’s mind or challenge Him on His ideas?
*How do I know that I am praying “in God’s Will”? Can anyone really know the will of God?
These and other questions have done battle in my mind as I’ve tried to work out this idea of prayer. It seems like prayer comes so naturally to some people. They have no trouble praying “without ceasing”. But me, well it seems like I’ve always struggled.
But as I’ve grappled with this, I come to realize that it’s not about my questions but more about my heart. And I’ve allowed my questions to hinder my pursuit of prayer. Prayer is a conversation with my Heavenly Father. Prayer is pouring out my heart to Him. It’s declaring my frailness and His strength, my simplemindedness and His wisdom, my need and His provision.
Prayer is a place of humility. Prayer admits that we NEED God, that we are DEPENDENT on Him, that we CANNOT do it without Him. Just as a loyal citizen kneels before their king to declare their submission to his decisions, laws and judgments, we proclaim the same thing when we pray. Turning to God in prayer for guidance and help declares that, “He is God and we are not.” It’s our way of surrendering to His ways, His work and His will for our lives.
In Psalm 143:9-10 David declares his dependence to the KING, “Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to You. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to You to hide me. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” (NLT, emphasis mine)
In these verses it’s easy to see David’s posture in His prayer. He is kneeling before his King offering his trust, asking for guidance and surrendering to His leading.
Do you struggle with prayer? Have you come to God with pride in your heart? Maybe you’re kneeling on the outside but not on the inside? Whatever it may be, I encourage you to let go and turn to the One who is ready and waiting to hear from you.
Lord, I pray that you would humble me under Your mighty power and I trust that at the right time You will lift me up in honor. I give You all my worries and cares because I know You care about me. (1 Peter 5:6-7) Amen
