And Pray . . .

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Ephesians 6:18

Prayer is incredibly simple, right? So why is it so difficult? Maybe it’s because it is so simple, that we think we cannot possibly be doing it right. I’ll admit, sometimes I don’t think my prayers are powerful or effective. But this is a journey – a journey of a growing, challenging faith. I am committed to pursuing a dynamic, powerful prayer life.

Prayer is a conversation, one of sharing ourselves with our Father, and listening to Him. We can tell him our feelings, our worries, and our fears. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). We ask for help, healing, and protection. We pray for guidance, wisdom, and peace.

What else does God’s word say about prayer? This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him (1 John 5:14-15).

According to his will. Whatever we ask. Here is where praying God’s word comes in. Since we know that his word lines up with his will, we can pray scripture with confidence.

During a season of sleepless nights and anxiety I prayed Proverbs 3:24, when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3 encourages us to trust in the Lord, seek his wisdom, honor, and fear him. When we follow him, the promises in this chapter also apply to us.

Scour the scripture for passages to pray back to the Lord. Whether praising or mourning, seeking or repenting, just the right passage to pray can be found in the Bible.

We can also pray that God will align our will with his. What more could I want for myself and those I pray for – that God will align our wills to his? That’s pretty much it. All I can ask for. Just keepin’ it simple.

Thank you, Father, that you hear us, and you answer us. Keep us in your word, and align our wills with yours.  

Julie