Prayer Works

How’s your prayer life?

I now realize that my “relationship” with God was never really a relationship at all, until I started talking to Him. I look back on the old me at times, and I wonder how I could have missed such an important part of journeying with Christ Jesus. I never prayed, NEVER, it wasn’t a priority, and if I’m being honest, I never thought God would ever answer my prayers. I knew He was real based on the testimonies of others, but I never really had a story, or testimony of my own to lean on.

My “relationship” and belief in God was soley based off of other’s experiences with Him, and none of my own. I was a church girl, but I was never a praying, or truly believing girl. The trials of life at a very young age led me to believe that my cries for help to the most high would never be heard, so I never prayed. If I’m being honest sometimes now I have to force myself to keep on praying for those same few things I’ve been seeking God for for YEARS; as if I’m beating a dead horse. It’s sometimes hard to believe that God is listening when year after year goes by and still, you’re waiting, I get it.

See, my attitude about consistent prayer has changed everything. Not because my situations have changed, but because through prayer my perspective and attitude regarding my waiting season has changed; making waiting a lot more bearable. As I pray daily, and multiple times a day, I feel as if a weight falls from my shoulders knowing that I’m completely relying on God to come through for me in these areas of my life. There’s much that God has promised me, and I’m sure it’s the same for you all, so through prayer I can rest assured knowing that each time I humble myself before Him, and speak to Him regarding what He’s revealed to me, I’m coming into agreement with Him, and in the end, it will be my faith in God that will move mountains in my life.

Prayer doesn’t just change the outcome of our situations, it changes the inside of us. Our faith in the willingness and capability of God grows when it’s met with utterances to the Lord that align and agrees with the will of God regarding the circumstances of our lives. It’s like adding fuel to an already lit flame within.  Not our will God, but Your will be done. When you pray according to God’s will, and wait according to His will, you can be still, knowing that He is Who He says He is, and He is not a man that He would lie.

God had to up my prayer life, and He’s done so by revealing to me what could be, leading me to lean and depend on Him even more so, because His will and desire for the future of my life is only possible through Him. Through prayer, I humbly go before the Lord showing Him, and most importantly reminding myself, Who’s in full control over the possible outcome revealed before it’s time. 

If your prayer life isn’t where it should be today, could you really have a relationship with God as you so claim? Relationships grow through constant communication and spending time together. Just as we nurture our earthly relationships, God wants us to do the same when it comes to having a relationship with Him. The more I prayed, the more prayer became less of a task to check off my list, and more of a way of life, a necessity, a part of who I am.

Prayer doesn’t have to be perfect, it can be messy, it can be all over the place, because if we’re being honest, most of us ARE messy and all over the place. Just talk to God, go for a walk or a drive, and just lay it all on Him, He’s ready and willing to listen. Most importantly, this is something I learned later on my journey, find time to listen for God’s responses, afterall, communication includes listening as well (find a quiet space to sit in silence).

Lastly read your word, the word of God, is the heart of God. Another way to listen for His responses is by reading the bible. That’s all for today guys! If you feel God is calling you deeper regarding your prayer life as you journey with Him, take the first steps towards constant communication with God today by finding a quiet place to speak to the Lord about what’s been on your heart and mind lately. 

Scriptures to reflect on:

Matthew 7:7

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you"

Luke 11:9

"I tell you: ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you"

John 16:24

"Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete"