Dear Father, Let your will be done in my friend’s life. Let her know the power of your word and the truth of your promises. I pray you will encourage her heart, even just for today. Remind her how deep and long you have loved her. Let her know she is loved, she has enough in you. Give her strength to move through today. Draw her to a deeper relationship with you. Amen
As I’m writing and thinking about the topic of prayer, I find myself asking more questions. Am I truly a woman of prayer? Do I truly believe He cares about how I feel? Am I coming to Him in worship through my prayers? Am I fervent in praying? ”The fervent prayer of the righteous man/woman availeth much.” James 5:16b
What comes to your mind when you think of prayer? Do you think of prayer the same way you think of communicating with a friend over coffee?
The Lord hath heard my supplication; the Lord will receive my prayer. Psalms 6:9
We pray because He told us to, we get to and this is how we communicate with our Abba Father! Praying gives us the opportunity to be a part of the big picture of this world. God really doesn’t need us to help complete His will, but gives us the opportunity to be a part of His mission.
Do you find it easier to pray for your family, friends and big events, or yourself?
We must guard our time in prayer because the enemy hates it. When we find it hard to pray, tell God. ”Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27. We can approach God in prayer not merely to ask for things we need but to come to the realization that He is what we need.
We must pray for ourselves. It may sound selfish, but we will only be able to give what we are receiving. Only through our time with God will we be able to know His heart! It’s through these times we can see what He is doing in our hearts. Go to Him anytime with anything, before you go to someone. This is an area that can be hard for me, but He really is the only one that can be all to you and me!
We need to tell God it’s hard. We all have those seasons when our devotional life isn’t happening; times when we are angry with God. Tell God what you are feeling, communicate with Him and keep praying. Maybe this is a daily happening for you, but keep going, Don’t give up. He still knows, hears, and is there for you.
Praying scripture is a powerful way to pray God’s words back to Him. Claiming His promises and praying them for ourselves and over other people. Find a passage that is near to you and pray it. Sometimes personalizing it can bring it closer. I have been encouraged many times by a friend sharing a verse or portion of scripture with me. Bless others with the Words that stand out to you! ” For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strenghened with all might.” Colossians 1:9-11a
Focusing while praying is challenging. We need to train ourselves to be still. One thing that I have found helpful in focusing when praying is not looking at my phone or planner before having my devotions and praying.
You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee, Psalms 9:9-10
Prayer journals are something that can be helpful in our prayer life. I personally haven’t used a ‘real’ prayer journal, but I would love to get one sometime. Writing out prayers, using already wrote prayers, praying scriptures are all ways that we can be encouraged. I would love to hear what you do to make your prayer time special. Feel free to leave comments or email; we love hearing from you!
Dear friends, may your prayer time be a time of laying aside your woes, desires and fears. Allow Jesus to fill you and make you more like Him! Keeping pushing into your prayer life. Jesus is the Way, it’s worth it in the end.
Written by: Damarus
pursuingourpurpose.com 
Thank you for the encouragement, and for sharing some practical ideas to help us in praying!
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Very encouraging and challenging! Thanks Damarus! I don’t have a prayer journal, but here’s something I’ve done… sometimes the “list” of things to pray for seems overwhelming, so I made a list of everyone I want to pray for and divided the list into diff days of the week.
Focusing is one thing I struggle with in prayer…
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