Dedicated Prayers

What are you praying for right now?

Do you need direction from the Lord? Are you concerned for your children, spouse or another loved one? Do the politics of the world have you stressed?

For the last several months, God has been convicting me of my prayer life.

• How to pray
• Who to pray for
• What to pray
• When to pray

It’s been commonly stated in Christian circles praying is simply talking to God. I agree and disagree. It’s wonderful to have a consistent conversation with the Lord throughout the day. However, this should not replace designated prayer time. Not just conversational praying – but praying!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.

1 John 5:14

The Lord is near to all who call on him,

to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;

he also hears their cry and saves them.

Psalm 145:18-19

Over and over in scripture believers are encouraged to pray. Pray praises, requests, thanksgivings, sorrows — pray! And not just chit-chat, but true supplications.

Does the prayer itself have power? No. The Lord who hears it does. For only He is sovereign, not the prayer or the believer.

Does this indicate prayers are for nothing? On the contrary! Lifting prayers up to the Almighty — the only one with the power — is not only the most logical solution but it’s what we are called to do. Scripture supports God wants to hear your prayer. When believers align their will with the Father’s, requests are granted.

As a parent, we encourage our children to handle small problems on their own. It’s a wonderful sign of initiative and development to see a child succeed independently. Because of this dynamic, there is a natural tendency to keep certain problems or request from the Lord. But the relationship is very different!

A major goal of parenting children is to create adults who do not need their moms and dads to function. Contrary to this, as we grow in faith, our dependency on the Holy Spirit should increase. We should rely more on His will, and less on ours. We should look to His truths for answers, instead of our “truths”.

So don’t hold back! The Lord is ready for all of it.

Lord, please help me to die to self. Rid my prayers of ulterior, selfish motives. Please make me gentle, oh Holy Spirit. In action and in thought, gift me gentle compassion. Align my will with yours, and guide me as a parent in demonstrating true trust in your plans. Amen

*If you are comfortable, please share a prayer request. I'd love to pray with you!