Our Prayer Life

I think we often have a hard time with prayer. It’s one of those things we probably know we “should” be doing, but never seem to get around to it. But, when we do take the time to pray, we always feel better. It changes us and it changes our circumstances. God delights in answering prayer. He hears everything we pray and loves when we talk to Him. 

This summer, I wrote out a special section in my prayer journal devoted to a number of things I wanted to consistently pray for. The list was quite extensive and included my husband, my relationship with God, my friends, family, co-workers, and a number of personal things. As the days marched on, I added more pages of prayer requests, because there were more things to pray for as the summer progressed. Here’s some thoughts from my summer prayer journey:

• God answers prayer- I saw God answer very specific prayers in a way only He could. In once circumstance, it was so obvious the hand of God orchestrated a most beautiful outcome to what could have been really tough situation. I will never forget how He intervened on my behalf and provided me a miracle!

• Never give up. I refused to give up praying for what I prayed for. We can sometimes just throw in the towel on God when He doesn’t give us what WE want. But, is that the purpose of prayer? What if it’s more about a relationship with God and trusting Him as we wait for answers? What if it’s about what we’ll learn as we persevere in prayer with Him? 

• God cares about everything- God has given me an increased desire to pray about EVERYTHING. I will write down the tiniest of concerns and the biggest of concerns. God wants us to take EVERYTHING to Him in prayer. He cares about EVERYTHING. He cares about your productivity today. He cares about your relationships. He cares about the concerns of our country and world. He cares about your finances. He cares about your hurts and pains. He cares when you are left out or rejected by someone. He cares about who you date and who you marry. He even cares about a good parking space. God cares!

• Why wouldn’t you pray? If we humans can have access to God and enjoy relationship with God, why wouldn’t we pray? God’s attributes are those characteristics that help us to understand who He truly is. Here is a summary, although not complete of His attributes: Eternality, Goodness, Grace, Holiness, Immanence, Immutability, Mercy, Omnipotence, Omnipresence, Omniscience, Righteousness, Self-Existence, Sovereignty and Transcendence.

Now, if you studied each of God’s attributes and grew in your understanding of Him, it would draw you to pray. Why? Because God is so great and so powerful and so loving and so gracious and all-knowing.... How could we possible think we can handle life on our own?

Oh, may your heart be softened and opened today to the power and presence of our amazing God. May you realize that He delights in you coming to Him in prayer. May God bless you in your journey as you seek to pray about everything. Remember prayer changes things. Prayer changes you.

 “Then Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.”  Luke 18:1

"We ought to see the face of God every morning before we see the face of man." Dwight L. Moody

"Sometimes when your child talks, your firends cannot understand what he says; but the mother understands very well. So if our prayer comes from the heart, God understands our language." Dwight L. Moody

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.