Why Do We Pray?
Prayer is the most important conversation you are ever going to have. How and why do we pray? Relationship. Just like you talk to your best friend, your spouse and your family, God desires this relationship. Prayer is not meant to manipulate God, but it grants us access to God’s power. God has His will. God has His plan, but prayer gives us access to this with him in relationship. Prayer aligns our heart with God’s will. Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” We cannot make God do anything, but prayer shows our dependence on God. Some may argue prayer does not work. I say it is impossible to come into the presence of Jesus, our Holy, good God, and not have your heart or attitude changed whether you consciously realize it or not. To claim that prayer does not work is impossible.
When are we to pray? James 5:13-15 says, Is anyone among you in trouble? Pray. Is anyone happy? Sing praises. If you are sick, have the church elders pray over you and anoint you with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the person well. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray without ceasing. We are to pray about everything, all the time. Does this mean we go in a corner and never talk to people other than God? Of course not! God desires for community. However, we should set aside times to pray, and maybe even have a room to practice understanding we are in the presence of God, but also in those in between times like showering, washing your hands and driving. The more I, ironically, have prayed on what it means to pray without ceasing, I have found it to mean simply our prayer is never more than a thought away throughout the day. We have the privilege that God is everywhere with us. How amazing is it that we have a father we can literally talk to at any time because of what Jesus has done, allowing us to have the Holy Spirit live inside of us? People in the Bible before Jesus came probably longed to know what it would be like to have God living inside of them and not have to go to a temple. Please don’t take this for granted, as it is truly the best gift we could ever ask for, helping us to truly have intimacy with God.
I’ve heard a lie going around that God only cares about big things , or that we can only pray about “big problems” and not about the little details in our lives. We can pray literally about anything and talk to God just like you would your best friend. He cares about all the details of your life. He is so personal. Seriously, if you get in the word you will realize what a great sense of humor God has, and that he cares. He already knows everything about you, so you can feel comfortable to share anything with him because He knows. Ephesians 6:18-20 says “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 Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words maybe given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly as I should.”
We are to be alert and keep on praying for one another, not only ourselves. Pray we are fearless and bold for Jesus like Paul was. 1 Peter 4:7 says “the end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that may pray.” Even though no one knows when the end will be other than God, we know each day that passes makes it even closer, which is so exciting! But, what are we supposed to do about it now? The Bible says to pray. Colossians 4:2 also says “Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful.” Prayer should be something we are devoted to daily and with it, being watchful and thankful. Being alert and watchful means being on the lookout for danger. Never paranoid as we know God is protecting us and never desires for us to be anxious, but aware in order to pray as our defense; instructed by our head coach who desires our success.
With prayer also comes listening to God. That is what a relationship is, talking and also listening. Even if we do not hear an audible voice from God, how do we know what His presence is like and what His voice sounds like? There is an example in the story of Elijah I look at when thinking about God’s response to our prayers. 1 Kings 19:9-12 says and “the word of the Lord came to him. What are you doing here, Elijah? He replied, I’ve been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant torn down your altars and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left and now they are trying to kill me too. The Lord said “go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, came a gentle whisper.” God is searching for you, and desires to talk to you too. Elijah ran out of fear as his very life was being threatened, but God came to him as a gentle whisper in the midst of the chaos. God continues to talk to us and this still small voice, through the Holy Spirit in the chaos that goes on in our day to day lives.
Psalm 29:3-4 says, “the voice of the Lord is over the waters, the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters, the voice of the Lord is powerful. The voice of the Lord is majestic.” Psalm 29:7-8 says “the voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning, the voice of the Lord shakes the desert.” Yet, Job 26:14 continues to say “how faint The Whisper we hear of him, who can understand the thunder of his power.” In the quiet is where God is the loudest. God’s voice can still thunder and it can be gentle. We cannot place God in a box and He will speak to us however he wants and in whatever way he wants, since He knows exactly what it takes to get our attention.
Hebrews 1:1-3 says “in the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways. But in these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things and through whom he has made the universe. The sun is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” It is crazy to think we are in the last days, even though we do not know how long these days will be until Jesus comes back! However, God’s main message to humanity is through Christ.
God can use others to speak to you. In the past, he used the prophets, as said in Matthew 26:56 “But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” Jesus was crucified just as the prophets predicted centuries before. Today, in the last days, He speaks to every human being through the miracle of Jesus. If lies ever creep in that make you doubt God’s love for you, or if you hear voices making you feel as if you do not have purpose, and that you are hopeless, if you look to the cross, the message will always be the same, telling you otherwise. God cares about your life more than you do, and desires to talk and have this relationship with you through prayer. He will talk to you in whatever ways that will best benefit your relationship.
In Acts 13 the Holy Spirit led them to Cyprus, and even in Acts 16:6-7, it is fascinating how the Holy Spirit kept Paul and his companions from going to Asia. Also, when they tried to enter Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus would not let them. The Holy Spirit is living in us too, the same Spirit that guided Paul, and will guide us when we ask in prayer. Deuteronomy 4:7 says, “what other nation is so great as they have their gods near them the way the Lord God is near to us whenever we pray to Him.” God is right next to you when you pray! You do not have to change your voice or act different. He already knows everything about us. We should feel relaxed to talk to him. Matthew 6:6-8 tells us “but when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they’ll be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
In Luke 18:1-7 and Luke 11:5-8, Jesus gives an example of why we are to pray with persistence and then never give up. There was a widow that kept on bugging a judge for justice, even though this judge did not fear God or care what people thought. Even though the judge was not just in his ways, he granted her request from her persistence as she would not leave him alone. Jesus asks “Will God not bring justice for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night?” Another example Jesus gives, is a friend who knocks on another friend’s door at midnight for bread. Even if the friend does not want to get up and get him the bread because it is the middle of the night, and won’t help you out of their heart and your friendship, the friend will still do it out of your audacity. Jesus says your friend will do it because you were so bold to ask. Jesus explains how persistence in prayer is important. He shows us even the unfair judge granted the request, and the friend who did not care about the man enough to give him the bread out of love but still did it out of obligation. Jesus says how much more will our loving Father in Heaven listen to our requests.
Matthew 7:7-11 and Luke 11:9-13 say, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be open to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” “Which of you, if your son asked for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will you give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” God is waiting for you to ask for help. Ask, knock and search. Jesus explains, if even us as humans know how to feed and care for our kids, how much more will our perfect Father in heaven grant does what he best desires for us?
Romans 8:32 says, “He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” If God was willing to give up his only Son for you, how can you think He will not be here for you every minute of your life with any requests you have? Even though you may feel weak and scared of life, God is the master at life and He is protecting you. Hebrews 1:14 says he even created angels as ministering spirits to serve everyone who inherit salvation! Literally part of the angels job is to minister to you. John 16:23-24 says, “Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 15:7 also says “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
Matthew 18:19-20 says if two or more agree, it will be done for where two or more gathered in His name, God is with them. When we make requests in Jesus’s name, letting his words remain in us and making requests based on His word, He hears. God already knows what is on your heart, so you should ask whatever your deepest, truest desires and dreams are. Then trust God does answer prayer and will accomplish what he feels is best, which means what is best for you. I think what gets tough about these verses is we know prayer is not a magic trick. Let us be real for a second. To be honest, even if it was a wish we just received right away, it would not be for our benefit if it is not what God desires. Guys, there has been so many times I have prayed for something in my life and because I am imperfect, I am so grateful God didn’t answer it the way I asked. I can trust God will answer as my heart and thoughts align with His, not the other way around.
Prayer is powerful in a way I believe we as people cannot comprehend, which is where faith comes in. God commands us to pray and we are to obey even if we do not see the whole picture of the puzzle until we get to heaven. James 4:1-3 says, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but you do not have so you kill. You covet it but you cannot get what you want to quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with wrong motives that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” Psalm 66:17-18 also says, “I cried out to him with my mouth. His praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. “
I really need a heart check sometimes when praying, hoping that what I am asking for is with the right intentions, and not evil intentions that can come from my worldly desires. In my own experience, when I pray before a big exam, a game, a hard conversation, things always go better. Let me emphasize, they do not go the way I necessarily plan or want, however, it does go the best way since it is always God’s way. Mark 11:22-24 says “”Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, go throw yourself into the sea and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.”
Proverbs 10:24 says “what the righteous desire will be granted.” 1 John 5:14-15 says “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 wherever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of him.” When we pray, God wants us to be confident. We may waver in confidence of our situation, thinking there’s simply no way it can work out, but He wants our faith and confidence in Him even when we are weak. If what we ask for is in accordance with His will, He hears us and will grant it. If it is not with His will, we will be happy He did not grant it. Hear me out, my heart understands, but my mind doesn’t. I’m not saying I’m good at this by any means. It all comes down to trust and the very One who holds my soul and life in his hands because our life is not our own.
We may think we are not trusting enough or that we don’t have enough faith. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can move mountains! Also, get this, the fact that you are coming to God in prayer is showing where your faith lies! The fact that you go to God in prayer shows you have already won the battle! The enemy will try to tell you God isn’t listening, because your “faith isn’t there”. Well, let me tell you we all waver time and time again. I want to emphasize the very fact that you going to God in prayer, I fully believe, is proof you have faith of a mustard seed to say the least!
God may be answering prayers and working in ways that you don’t even see yet. Job 9:5 says “he moves mountains without them knowing it.” James 1:5-8 says, “if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask you must believe in that doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double minded and unstable in all they do.”
Are you like me a lot of the times, meaning……confused and lacking direction? Do you ever wonder what life is about, what your exact purposes are and what the next move should be in your life? How about something as simple as what I should make for dinner? When should I work out? When should I spend time with family, friends or others? What career should I choose? Will I play well at my game? Which vacation should I go on? How can I lose weight? How many kids should I have? God cares , you guys, about every single detail about your life and has the answer to every single part. God is the most generous being and He desires to share his wisdom. All you have to do is ask. He wants you to ask with confidence in Him.
Prayer sometimes seems way more complicated than it needs to be. It is simply a conversation with God. Sometimes if we do not know what to what to pray for, something as simple as telling the Lord and saying “please lead the way.” Also just “God, I love you, God, please help, thank you or forgive me.” Those are all powerful in and of themselves. Honestly, there’s been more times than once in my life my prayer has been “God, I don’t know what to pray or say to you right now.” Hey, that is a prayer in and of itself!
Confession, I used to be afraid to pray in groups. I cared more about what others heard me say then focusing on genuiely talking to God. Ironically, I prayed about this individually (funny I know), I eventually was able to focus on God during prayers in groups. They became more genuine no matter who was around!
I understand some people may have never prayed before and need some guidance. Realize your prayers are valuable and priceless to God. The book “Revelation” is the foretelling of what is to come, and in it is proof of how valuable your prayers are to God. Revelation 5:8 says “each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense which were the prayers of God’s people.” Maybe you are thinking “Lex, this is all great information but okay, where do I start?”
A good place to begin is to ask for forgiveness of sins and just confessing that we are sinners. We should pray with thanksgiving and for others. Pray for guidance and for the desires of your heart. Pray with confidence and end saying “Jesus, your will be done.” I never used to like to pray this when I finished, because I wanted my own will to be done. I figured out, God’s will is always better than mine. Finally, always listen for His response. It’s there. Deuteronomy 30:20 says “and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast him. For the Lord is your life, and He will give you many years in the land he swore to give your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” Philippians 1:3-5 says “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now.”
Guys, praying for others is so important. Praying in thankfulness for others is where genuine love begins to form. Prayer is also more effective than positive thinking. Positive thinking will only get you so far. Prayer is aligning ourselves with God, the Creator of the universe’s power. 1 Samuel 12:23-25 says “As for me, far be it from me that I should sinned against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” Samuel goes as far as calling it a sin to fail to pray for others. Praying for others is so important as you have no idea what people you love are going through that they don’t even talk about, even those closest to you. We are all going through something. Sometimes those people you couldn’t be closer or more intimate with have a struggle only God knows about. That’s why we have to pray for each other. We have no idea how powerful our prayers are and how God can use them to lift someone else up.
When God answers prayer, He not only cares about how the situation will affect you, but others. God thinks about every tiny detail we do not even realize is happening under the surface. In Philippians 2:27, Paul says this about how God saved Epaphroditus. It says “indeed, he was ill and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.” When people I love so much are struggling, I want to take away their pain and I want to help them. I know I can’t, but God can. If you want to help your struggling family, friends, patients and others in anything they are struggling with, help comes from prayer. Romans 15:30 says “join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” 1 Timothy 2:8 says “Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.” When we pray for others, it diminishes anger and disputing, building up our relationships and teamwork with others.
Always pray first, act second. If you pray for it, I guarantee God is working on it. I can tell you, there is no better feeling than when someone is praying for you and praying with you. Romans 12:12 says “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” We are not joyful because of what we are going through, but the hope God can produce through it. Staying faithful in prayer means to remain consistent even if the length and attitude of your prayers vary, like I know mine do. God knows you’re going to waver, but through the wavering, He wants you to remain faithful. 2 Samuel 7:27-29 and 1 Chronicles 17:25-26 says “so your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you, Sovereign Lord, You are God. Your covenant is trustworthy. And you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight, for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”
Prayer takes courage because when we pray, we are admitting that we can’t do it on our own and we are thanking God for what we cannot provide for yourself. He is trustworthy and promises good to His servants when we pray. God will listen when you seek him. James 5:17-18 says Elijah was human like us, and when he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, it didn’t. When he prayed for the heavens to give rain, it did. I want to emphasize I know if God had answered every prayer since I was little, my life would be pretty messed up to say the least. Even if the answer is not what you want, He will answer your prayer. He will answer when it is best for you, when you trust Him in deliverance. More examples of where God answers prayer is in 2 Kings 13:4 which reads “then Jehoahaz sought the Lord’s favor and the Lord listened to him.” 1 Chronicles 5:20 reads “God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands because they cried out to him during battle. He answered their prayers because they trusted in him.” In 1 Kings 17:21-22 and 1 Kings 17:23-24, Elijah prayed for a boy’s life to be returned to him, and God granted his request. In Isaiah 38:4-8 and 2 Chronicles 32:24, they tell the story of how God hears Hezekiah’s prayer and sees his tears. God in turn brings healing and adds to his life, as he was so ill he almost died, and God also gave him and Jerusalem deliverance from the king of Assyria!
Regardless of how your life and situation is going, the Lord is listening, and He is working. 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 says “when I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” God warns if we do not carefully follow the Bible, and do not revere his awesome and glorious name, there will be consequences. Psalm 53:4-5 continues to say “they never call on God. But there they are, overwhelmed with dread.” Proverbs 15:29 says God hears the prayers of the righteous, however his face is against those who do evil. In Zechariah 7:13 God says when He called the Israelites they did not listen, so when they called He did not listen. Job 35:12-14 also says “He does not answer when people cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked. Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea. How much less then will he listen when you say that you do not see him?”
The most dangerous thing anyone can do is to simply just not come to God and act like he does not exist, as if He is not completely and clearly seen in all creation. The beautiful thing is God always welcomes you back with open arms! Just think of the story of the prodigal son. The key is, though, you have to run back. If anyone ignores His instruction, God says their prayers are detestable in Proverbs 28:9. God is always ready to pick your right back up. The key is reaching out and taking his hand instead of trying to do it on your own. That’s all he asks is that we come to Him.
Psalm 5:3 says in the morning he hears our voices as we ask our requests and wait expectantly. Psalm 17:6 says God will answer when we call. 1 Chronicles 23:30 says morning and night the Levites thanked and praised God. Before we start our day, we should thank God and lay all our requests for him who hears us. Then we are to wait expectantly. God loves when we wait expectantly because it shows we trust Him in faith, which is worth more than gold to him. We know we never wait in vain because He is near to all who call on him, fulfilling the desires of all who fear him. Psalm 145:18-20 says “the Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on Him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him, He hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him.” Daniel 9:18 says we do not make requests because we think we are worthy, but because we know he is full of mercy. He will save us and watches over all of us who love him. He fulfills the desires of all who fear him.
Anyone can tell you this does not mean we get whatever we pray for. I want to keep emphasizing that, but God sees the heart and desire behind what you are asking for. The desire will be fulfilled, even if we do not get specifically what we asked for. God told Daniel not to be afraid, since he has set his mind to gain understanding and humbled him before the Lord. God heard his words. God does the same for Manasseh when he humbles himself. Amos called on our Sovereign Lord to forgive Jacob and the Lord listened in Amos 7:2-6. God hears us when we humble ourselves before Him. If you are coming to him, chances are you have humbled yourself, otherwise you would not approach God in the first place, thinking you can do life on your own. When you ask for wisdom, God will set your mind to get understanding.
Let’s be real now, at how frustrating it can be when you have been persistent in prayer, praying with confidence and trusting God yet nothing seems to be happening or changing. We have all been there. Habakkuk had a similar situation.
In Habakkuk 1:2 he says, “How long Lord must I call for help, but you do not listen, or cry out to you “violence!” but you do not save?” He says how long God must I call for help but seems like you are not listening. Oh, God responds….per usual. Habakkuk 1:5 says, “look at the nations and watch-and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you are told.” Even if God laid out a map of our lives and the world, just like he had the prophets tell the people in the Old Testament, just like Jesus told the disciples how he was going to be crucified and even for us! We have parts of the map through Revelation, but it seems we cannot fully comprehend how short our lives are, and how much purpose our lives have now and into eternity. Even though I am just like anyone else where I do not understand fully, I do choose to trust. I am fully confident throughout our lives until eternity, or if Jesus comes back first, that we are going to be utterly amazed at how God has worked in every little detail, using every single prayer as a part of His ultimate will that He has set in place before the beginning of time.
Jesus also teaches us how to pray in what most known as the Lord’s Prayer. Matthew 6:9-14 and Luke 11:1-4 say “This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people, when they sinned against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Jesus teaches us to pray to our God who is in heaven and that his name should be honored, respected and revered, because He is holy and perfect. We are to pray for His kingdom to come as what is prophesied to happen in the end, even though His will is already happening. We can have access to this power, and will when we pray. We ask for Jesus to give us our daily bread, which references back to Matthew 4:4 where we are told we do not live on bread alone, but every word from God. We ask for his forgiveness just as we forgive those who sinned against us. As Jesus taught us, we are truly forgiving everyone who has wronged us.
We continue for prayers to strengthen us against Satan, who he references as the enemy, because he wants to destroy everything God has created and made good, including us. Just like Adam and Eve thought the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil looked good, but it ended up leading to death. He will make it seem like his desires for us are good, even though they lead to our downfall. He will lead us into a pit, but it won’t be obvious at first. You may even be shocked when you fall into it because he keeps you so focused on him and his deception. He’s very manipulative, and he uses your good desires and pleasures God has given you, but twists them into something sinful. He promises false satisfaction and by the time you realize it, he is unwilling to help you get back on your feet even though he is the one that deceived you.
The good news is our Heavenly Father is always there to pick us back up with open arms even when we fall by our disobedience toward Him! This will be a battle the rest of our lives, and we will continually need to lean on God every time we fall. Prayer helps us not to fall into temptation, as we are not stronger than the enemy, but God is. Prayer links us to that power that God has. Jesus also tells His disciples in the garden to pray so that they don’t fall into temptation. He tells them the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak according to Matthew 26:41.
There are many different times in the Bible where Jesus gives us examples of when He goes to pray. Mark 1:35 says “Jesus got up while it was early and still dark, left the house and went to a solitary place to pray.” Luke 6:12 says “he went to the mountainside to pray and spent the entire night talking to God.” Luke 5:15-16 says “even when crowds began gathering around him to heal their sicknesses, he often went to lonely places to pray.” Jesus would get up early to pray in solitary places. He would spend the entire night talking to God and even when surrounded by many people that he was just completely loving on and taking care of, He still went to lonely places to talk to God.
We usually look at being lonely as a negative, but those times when we are alone are the best times to spend with God. There is a difference, I’ve realized, between feeling lonely and being alone. Think of all the people the Holy Spirit used to write the Bible when they were alone. God has greater purposes for our loneliness than we understand. We definitely need community, trust me when I say I am all about the community and absolutely love it. However, I just don’t want us to underestimate the purposes behind our one on one time with Him. I actually find I am more beneficial and have deeper, more intimate relationships as I am able to supply the needs of others in my life and love them better when I have that alone, intimate time with God and prayer.
God knows and loves people more than anybody, including those in your life that you want to love on. Who better to spend time with? You can surround yourself with everyone and have everyone love you, but if you do not have Jesus, you are always going to have that feeling of loneliness. When we are lonely, we tend to make decisions we usually wouldn’t because we want others to notice us. That is our normal human nature. It is okay to want to feel loved. Not just ok, but we were designed and meant to feel loved, but we were designed to be satisfied in God in ways that other people just can’t supply. When we do feel lonely, sometimes we tend to maybe dress or act in ways that we usually wouldn’t. There will be no better, satisfying or unfailing relationship than with the One who created you. Make sure you set times alone with him just like you would friends or family. The more time you get alone with Him, trust me, you will not be able to get enough!
Acts 9:33-42 shows us the power of prayer. It says Peter heals a paralyzed man in Jesus’s name, turning others to the Lord. Peter got on his knees and prayed and brought back to life the disciple Tabitha! He told her to get up, and he took her by the hand helping her to her feet, increasing their belief in Jesus. In Acts 28:7-9, Paul healed the sick of an entire island through prayer. In Acts 12:5-7, it says while Peter was in prison, the church was praying for him. The night before Herod brought him to trial, an angel of the Lord came, freeing him of his chains. In Acts 12:11-16, Peter said he knew without a doubt the Lord sent the angel to rescue him. Peter came to the house of Mary and they just couldn’t believe it. They thought they’d seen an angel!
Prayer is power. Prayer is talking to the one with the most power, who when it is for His good purposes, can give you access to this power if and when He desires. Never doubt what God can do. Hebrews 5:7-10 says Jesus “offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” Some may argue, God did not answer Jesus’s prayer when he asked God if there was any other way that we could save humanity other than his crucifixion; but, even though Jesus asked, He submitted to God’s will. He wanted God’s will. He desired to save us, you, and the world. When we pray, so desperately wanting God to take away the pain, He hears, He cares, He answers. When we are aligned with His will, we will want what he wants, even through the hard emotions, resistance and tears that come with it. It is a matter of aligning our hearts with God, even when our minds and emotions are not. It is about trusting His heart even when we do not see His hand at work or understand what He is doing. God will eventually align our hearts with His when we are persistent in the word and in prayer.
It is sad that people use the word “coincidence” when it is actually answered prayer many times. One time my mom gave someone $30 exactly. The person said they prayed for this exact amount. Coincidence? I say answer prayer. Once I prayed for some help with finances, and I went to the grocery store. I was checking out and someone gave me a coupon for free peanut butter and 10% off. Again, coincidence? I don’t think so. Then I was given a Starbucks gift card for $15. I got a tall almond milk honey latte, an egg wrap and a blueberry oatmeal. Have you ever ordered these items together? Guess how much they were? $15 even. Coincidence? I say answered prayer. I am always on board making sure everyone is very aware prayer is not a magic trick. When you tithe, will you receive the exact amount of money back or more? Not necessarily. However, I also do not think we give God enough credit when it comes to what people claim are coincidences in life when we know there can be miracles and answered prayers. I personally keep a prayer journal. I definitely still just talk to God anytime authentically, but I have found I so quickly can forget how much God answers when I don’t write down what I asked or praised Him for. God has answered so much more than my mind can comprehend. I really encourage you if you can to keep a prayer journal for the reminders of His faithfulness.
Life is busy for all of us, and when you have so much work, the only way you can get it done well is to spend time in prayer and pray about the task that you are about to set forth to accomplish. Prayer is the best time saver. If you make prayer a priority, everything else falls into place. No plan will help you if prayer is not a priority. In Exodus 33:11, it says The Lord would speak to Moses as one speaks to a friend. I hope that I am not making it seem like prayer has to be this chore obligation. I just know our human nature, at least mine and I can be very distracted by the things of this world instead of talking to the Creator who supplies and created all things. Sometimes we need the discipline and to set the time in our schedules, and then the relationship builds with it. Even with my advice of setting times to pray, and what to pray, please hear me out that the ultimate purpose is the relationship and just falling in love talking to Jesus.
I have never heard the audible voice of God, but I do hear him so clearly through the Holy Spirit. I know that those of you who have the Holy Spirit know exactly what I’m talking about and how He still strongly guides us. God also talks to us directly through His Word, always. Psalm 65:2-10 says blessed are those you choose to bring near to live in your courts. God answers prayer in such ways that when we are overwhelmed by sin, He forgives. He answers us with righteous and awesome deeds. God is the hope of all the ends of the earth, He who formed the mountains and stills the roaring seas. The whole earth is filled with all of his wonders, calling songs of joy. He cares for the land as he waters it producing grain.
Sometimes we are in so much pain and confusion that we do not know what to say, where we can’t find the words. We have all had circumstances where you are praying with all your heart, knowing it is in the right place with no selfish ambition or evil desires in it. You are praying for things that you think God desires and wants. Romans 8:26 says, “in the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” There have been times the pain is so deep, you do not know what to pray, but just cry. God cares and loves you so much. He is not looking for you to be an expert at how to communicate what you’re feeling. Sometimes what we’re experiencing in this broken world is so deep, there really are no words to explain it; but Jesus knows. His spirit will intercede for you, when you do not know what to say, through the Holy Spirit.
The concept of prayer to summarize is just go to Jesus. That’s all that matters. The enemy is going to try to convince you not to pray, making you feel incompetent. Through lies he will try to convince you your prayers are “not working.” Do not believe these lies. Go to Jesus, He loves you so much and He’s there for you.
Speaking of prayer, I’m going to pray for you! Dear Jesus, I pray what is read in this blog you use for this readers greater good. I pray they will not remember my name at the end, but yours. I pray they will see how much you love them. I thank You, Lord, for creating this reader and all the details you put into the greatness of who they are. Help them live this life for you. I pray they find salvation through you to be with you for eternity. Help them see no matter their past you have a plan for their future far greater than what they can imagine. Wrap your loving and strong arms around them, helping them feel your presence. Help them live each day with enthusiasm and passion, pursuing their dreams knowing they have purpose and can do all things through you who strengthens them. Amen!
