If you are a faith filled person, prayer will be a very important part of your life. There are a lot of reasons why we pray.
We pray because God tells us to pray (Matthew 6:5,9, Romans 12:12, Ephesians 6:18, Colossians 4:2) and so we do it out of obedience.
We also pray as a way of communicating with God. It’s a way of letting Him know what’s on our mind.
It is a form of surrender, a letting go of our worries, anxieties and fears (Philippians 4:6).
Jesus told us to give our burdens to Him and that He could handle them (Matthew 11:28-30). Prayer is a way of connecting with Him to release all that is bothering you.
I believe one of the biggest reasons we pray is to strengthen our relationship with God.
It is through prayer that we can align our hearts up with God’s heart. As we pray we develop an intimacy with Jesus.
Our prayer life has great potential of changing us as we draw closer to our Lord and Savior.
Many followers of Christ, however, do not feel confident in their prayer life.
They question if their prayers are being prayed “in the right way” or if their prayers are “powerful” enough.
Consequently, many Christians pray with uncertainty.
They pray with hearts full of doubt.
They doubt their communication with God.
They doubt if He hears them.
They may even doubt if He really cares.
We cannot pray effectively if we pray like this. We must pray with an inner confidence.
We must pray knowing that Almighty God hears us.
But how? How do we gain confidence like this? Here are some tips that might help you…
1. Accept the fact that you are not the one in control.
The truth is there is very little that you have control over. God, however, has ultimate control. He is above all rulers.
God is Sovereign.
2. God is also constant and consistent. He never changes. He is the same God of yesterday and He will be the same God forever (Hebrews 13:8). This fact can give us a strong sense of security.
God is trustworthy.
The fact that we can count on God means that when we pray we can have faith that God will answer our prayers in the way He finds is best for us.
3. God always has our best interest in mind. This is because God loves us so deeply and also because God is good.
God is love.
God is good.
So, if you focus on God’s Character rather than on why you need to pray or what the outcome will be, you will have a lot more confidence in your prayer life.
Allow your prayer life to change you.
Walk by faith, believing that Jesus Christ is alive and hears your prayers. Your faith will be strengthened by doing so.
God does hear your prayers.
Does He always answer them in the way you would like them to be answered? No.
Does He answer them in the time you would like Him to answer them? No.
These are the things you will have to surrender and let go of.
Accept that God’s ways are higher than our ways.
We don’t always understand why He doesn’t answer our prayers when and how we want them to be answered.
But if you just focus on who God is and align your heartbeat with His heartbeat, you will have a lot more confidence and peace in your prayer life.
Trust Him.
Trust Him with your prayers.
Trust Him like a little child trusts. Children don’t ask questions, they just know God is able.
Pray by faith.
And always be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12).
May you feel God’s power within you as you allow Him to lead you in your prayer life.
Please leave me a comment below on your thoughts on prayer. What has helped you pray with confidence?
“Be still, and know that I am God!” ~Psalm 46:10
photo credit: google images
Tweeny, thanks for this message. I have been blessed here in KY to have linked into a discipling relationship with a new Christian. She reminds me of you in that she matured SO quickly due to her love and hunger for The Lord. We are now meeting weekly to pray together for many things, people and places. We are believing God to touch her unbelieving family, beginning with her husband who has inflicted much pain upon the entire family. I can’t wait to see what God will do!!!!! I thank God He brought you inot my life several years ago. Love, Debbie
Debbie, thanks for sharing. It sounds like God is using you powerfully out there in KY (no surprise). She is so blessed to have you as her mentor. You were my first mentor in many ways-you were my first bible teacher and I can still remember being in awe of you. I know that sounds funny, but seriously, Debbie, you are such a perfect example of how we ought to live as women of God. I am so grateful that the Lord put women like you in my path as a newborn Christian. You are a strong role model for Christian women. May your time with your new disciple-e be blessed abundantly.
I miss and love you~
Tweeny