Lessons about Prayer

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  – Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

For years, I struggled to pray. I struggled with how to pray, what to say, what was okay, how long to pray and so on. So instead of trying to figure it out, I just didn't pray. And then I wondered why things didn't change.

Now I look back at that time, and I think how foolish I was. To just not do it and then wonder why things weren't changing. Well anyways, no point on dwelling on that.

Some things I've learned about prayer this year:

KEEP PRAYING

Keep praying about it. Don't give up on it. God hears every cry and prayer you bring before Him.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV

PRAY HIS PROMISES

Pray the things He's promised. Claim those promises over your life.

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!  – Luke 1:45 NIV

PRAY BOLD PRAYERS

Has He revealed something to you? Pray boldly about that thing. Would you want to give someone a yes to a question if they asked "if you don't mind, if it's okay and if you really want to, would you please..." I don't think so. But you would be inclined to answer yes to this: "You said I'll be a mom and I believe you. So I'm believing for my child this year. And I ask you to open my womb and I ask you to heal my body. And I declare I'm healed in your name." Now that will bring results.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. – Mark 11:24 NIV

PRAY WHEN IT HURTS

Are you grieving or brokenhearted? Pray about it, don't stop praying. Honestly tell God how you feel. It won't scare Him away. Look at Job, he said what He thought but God didn't You will be so surprised by the way He handles you and how He comforts you. He's a God that's close to the brokenhearted. He deeply cares about your pain.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – Romans 12:12 NIV

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:18 NIV

After learning these things, it's not only changed my prayer life, but it's changed things in my life. I've been able to see Him answer my prayers, I believe in the power of prayer, and even more than all of that I've been able to experience His comfort for my grieving heart.

What has been your experience with prayer? What have you learned about prayer lately?