Christian Living

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“Thank you for this food.
Bless the missionaries.
Give me what I want.
In Jesus’ name,
amen”

The above verse isn’t exactly a prize-winning prayer, but we’ve probably all spoken some version of it.

Sometimes getting an answer to prayer is the best feeling. During those moments of realization and wonder, your soul is flooded with gratitude. You are humbled at the notion of God’s taking note of your small voice. You smile.

Other times the answer comes and you feel no wonder. Instead of elation, you feel angry, deprived, bothered. Your spirit argues its’ rights and demands that God explain Himself to you. You shake your fist.

Which of these extreme reactions do you most identify with? There is a third option. It is more common and is best expressed as “indifference”. Perhaps this is where you find yourself right now.

There have been a handful of times in my life when I can say that gratitude, humility, joy, and wonder have truly been mine. Who am I that He might grant my request? A door is opened; time is provided; a job is given; a relationship restored; needs met; rest found.

But about the same number of times I have found myself shaking my fist at Him, wanting to know “why, God?” I cry in frustration, pout in self-pity, speak from a bitter heart.

God is always faithful to restore our relationship after such times of turbulence, but my spiritual life has been overwhelming filled with apathy towards prayer. Much of the time my requests are lifted heavenward without much thought and with little passion. But in the past two weeks, God has been changing m attitude towards prayer from apathy to excitement.

In the words that follow, I seek to share with you some of what I have learned about prayer. My prayer is that God would encourage your heart and inspire you to study His Word and walk with Him more closely. Our fellowship with Him is what living the good life is about. When you follow the guidelines God gives us in His Word, prayer goes from monotonous to exciting and meaningful. Here are a few things I’ve learned from scripture:

- Pray Enthusiastically
en•thu•si•asm
1) belief in special revelations of the Holy Spirit
2 a) strong excitement of feeling b) something inspiring zeal or fervor

“When you ask for something, don’t have any doubts. A person who doubts is like a wave that is blown by the wind and tossed by the sea. A person who has doubts shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord. A person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can’t make up his mind about anything.” *James 1:6-8*

- Pray Earnestly
ear•nest
1) a serious and intent mental state
2) a considerable or impressive degree or amount

“…pray earnestly” *Matthew 9:38*

“When you pray for things, you don’t get them because you want them for the wrong reason - for your own pleasure.” *James 4:3* (God’s Word)

- Pray Endlessly
end•less
1) being or seeming to be without end
2) extremely numerous

“And he told them a parable to the effect the they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” *Luke 18:1*

“pray without ceasing.” *1 Thessalonians 5:17*

- Pray Everywhere
ev•ery•where
1) in every place or part

“… in every place the men should pray…” *1 Timothy 2:8*

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” *Matthew 18:20*


Another thing that has always made me evaluate my prayer life is the prayers of our brother Paul. They were intense! Have you ever looked at them? This man was serious about the power of prayer. Take a peek at some of the ways he prayed for his friends.

“It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless…” *Phillippians 1:9-10*

“To the end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power…” *2 Thes. 1:11*

“I pray that he would give you inner strength and power through his Spirit… I also pray that love may be the ground into which you sink your roots and on which you have your foundation.” *Ephesians 3:16-17* (GW)

“We also pray that the Lord will greatly increase your love for each other and for everyone else…” *1 Thes. 3:12* (GW)

“… we pray most earnestly night and day that we may… supply what is lacking in your faith…” *1 Thes. 3:10*

“… we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work… may you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might…” *Colossians 1:9-11*

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father… he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being… you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” *Eph. 3:14-19*


Have you ever loved someone that much, cared so deeply about the health of their relationship to God, loved your Lord so completely that you ask God to make the depths of His love known to them? Sometimes I read my Bible one section or verse at a time and pray that piece over whoever God brings to mind. It’s quite exciting! And it keeps thing fresh. Praying solely out of habit can cause me to lose intimacy with my Father.

If you are going through a dry spell spiritually, I encourage you with what He has done for me. While it was unknown to me, He was strengthening my faith while I read His Word. He was increasing my compassion for others. The Spirit was making intercession on my behalf. And my eyes were opened. Yes, the Lord is working here! Yes, God did bring healing! Yes, that situation is now alleviated! God heard my earnest, expectant, constant and joyful prayers! I am challenged to pray in truth, with a believing heart.


My question to you is: What is the basis for your prayers?


May we all learn to seek Him in spirit and in truth.





*All scripture quoted from the English Standard Version, unless otherwise noted. All definitions taken from http://www.merriam-webster.com/ *

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