Below is an article found and shared by our Prayer Team.
“You do not have because you do not ask.” (James 4:2)
Many people do not have answered prayer because they do not pray. They talk about prayer, teach and preach about prayer, tell people “I’m praying for you!” but it is often hypocrisy. You may not be seeing God’s activity in and through your life because you have not taken the steps to become a man or woman who is simply praying.
“And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:7-8)
God is not impressed by flowery words or fine oratory. He loves sincere, simple hearts. He knows our needs and is not waiting for us to petition Him with perfect elocution. He wants us! He longs for His children to climb up in His lap and enjoy Him.
One of the most liberating experiences in prayer is to realize you can come to Him in sincerity, honesty, and simplicity, speaking to Him as a friend to a friend or a child to a loving Father.
Father, my heart longs to simply know You more so that You can teach my heart to be yielded and open as You train me in intercession. I confess that sometimes I get overwhelmed by the amazing prayers I hear others lift up to You. It can keep me from stepping out in faith to just talk to You as a friend and loving Father. Help me to remember that I am not talking to those around me. I am stepping into the throne room of heaven to have a conversation with the One who knows me best, and who loves me beyond measure.
---Adapted from Simply Prayer by Bill Elliff. This book is available at prayershop.org.
Prayer Points
Praise God that “though he brings grief, he will show compassion . . . for he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men” (Lam. 3:32-33).
Give thanks for God’s promise that your grief will be turned to joy (Jn. 16:20).
Confess to him the times you let grief or affliction turn to bitterness or unconfessed sin.
Commit yourself to allowing these trials or afflictions to be a stepping stone to a greater faith.
Ask God to help you guard yourself in your spirit and do not break faith (Mal. 2:16).
Ask that financial pressure in your congregation will draw you together in prayer and trust, and move you forward in faith as you share with those in need (Rom. 12:12-13).
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org.
Connection (Devotions for Everyday Life) © 2024 is a free devotional published daily by Harvest Prayer Ministries.