How many of us can say that we honestly have an amazing, powerful, and mighty prayer life?
I feel like a lot of my prayers are made out of desperation, mainly when I want something. God please do this or that, and I've essentially made Him my genie in a bottle, which is not good at all.
You see prayer is a very complicated thing yet so basic at the same time and honestly I don't even know where to begin. So I'll start with the basics. As soon as you hit your knees in prayer, you've picked a fight with the enemy. You've started playing offense. You are no longer trying to defend yourself, you are calling in help, so God comes to fight our battle for us, because He knows we will never win on our own. There is something so sweet about running to God and putting your defenses down. And that's what hitting our knees in prayer does. It humbles us. It shows that we are being totally open and authentic with God.
Prayers should not be just said when we want something. Have you ever just stopped and thanked God for the beautiful sunrise or the way the birds chirp. Maybe even the breeze you feel in your hair right now. Sometimes there is nothing to ask for and just things to be thankful for. Remember to thank Him for what He has given you.
What happens though when we feel like God isn't saying anything? We pray and pray and pray yet nothing happens. For me a lot of the time I pray in an act of spiritual procrastination. I pray for God to do something when He's already given me all the things I need to do it. Therefore, He is quiet because He is saying "Madison, I've already given you everything you need to answer this prayer, you just have to do it." Another example of this would best be described with the analogy of a farm. A lot of the time we pray and sow seeds and they just seem to disappear. We need the patience of a planter, the foresight of a farmer, and the mind-set of a sower. While some prayers may seem dead they are not, they are just germinating beneath the surface. Our prayers bare fruit forever. A little faith goes a long way. Waiting in Holy expectancy puts us on the fast track for whatever God wants to do with us.
My goal in life is to love others well. No matter who it is I want to love them. Our primary focus then needs to be communicating with God. When we glorify and worship Him loving others comes easy because we will be able to smile with joy and love them with God's love. All of us have impossible people in our lives, which means we need to circle them in prayer, it's the only way to keep our attitudes in check. Prayer has the power to change hearts. Never underestimate it. Don't be afraid of the enemy's attacks, counteract them with prayer.