When my daughter was going through her teenage prodigal years, my heart ached for the life I wanted her to experience. But my words fell on closed ears and a heart determined to make her own decisions and choices. No amount of talking, pleading, or cajoling convinced her to change her ways.
I was desperate to hear from God.
I sank to my knees and pleaded with God daily...expectantly...persistently...sacrificially...unceasingly...and, eventually thankfully...for six long years. Even when I saw no change in her behavior. Even when I wanted to give up. Even when it looked hopeless, I kept petitioning God because I believed with all my heart that God would answer my prayers. Not on my timeframe but his.
Today, my daughter thanks me that I never gave up hope. I never stopped praying. I never stopped believing!
Prayer Is Conversation with God
It doesn’t matter if we speak our prayers, journal them, or maybe simply think them. Sometimes a thought prayer happens when we’re reading God’s words to us in our Bible. As we stop and ponder on a Scripture, we’re talking to God. We’re praying!
I enjoy walking and talking to God and I have friends who prayer-walk their neighborhoods. You can pray anywhere, anytime.
Are Your Prayers Typically Requests?
Unlike our typical conversations, our prayers are often a litany of requests.
Often, we see prayer as a way to come to God with all the things we want him to do for us—without taking the time to praise him for what he’s already done.
My favorite time in our church is “Praise, Prayer, and Share” where we can publically offer not only prayer requests, but let our church congregation know how their prayers have been answered.
What Are Your Expectations When You Pray?
We pray because we know that God is omnipotent and we believe he has the power to answer prayers. But if we’re honest, we still wonder: Will he?
What if it’s not the answer I want?
With all the prayer requests he receives, does he hear mine? Let’s look at five ways to release your prayer requests to God:
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