Called to Pray


I recently made a commitment to pray for someone in the morning and at bedtime. This wasn't a new commitment, but a more intentional one. However, it didn't take long before my plan felt like one more thing I had to do.

To be honest, I’m long past frustrated with the situation we've been in and that our prayers have not been answered. I know He's at work and that His way and timing are best, but I've grown weary in the wait. Maybe you can relate?

Last week as I got ready for bed, I wanted to skip praying that night. I thought, why bother?

But immediately I wondered, what if a breakthrough is right around the corner?

I'm not in any way suggesting that God's work is dependent on my prayers. But I know that when I stop praying it opens the door to drifting away from Him.

My prayers for someone else aren't just for that person, they are for me too.

Prayer keeps me close to the One whose love and power are unlimited. No matter what I can or can't see, nothing is impossible for God. {Tweet this}

Prayer gives me strength to face tomorrow. It gives me the ability to see His work, even especially when it's not what I've been asking for.

Prayer allows me to stand in the gap for someone who is struggling the way others have stood in the gap for me.

Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people.
Ephesians 6:18 CEV

God calls us to pray because it keeps us close to Him and focused on Him. {Tweet this}

The enemy hates that. He knows he cannot stand in Jesus' presence so he'll watch for the moment he can slither in before we even know what happened.

I'm tired of praying and seeing no change, but praying enables me to keep hoping. And without hope, what is there?

Yes, my frustration grows on some days, but so does my praise and thankfulness because I know He's here and my impatience doesn't cause Him to turn away.

Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.
Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Peace. In the midst of difficulty. Only through faith in Jesus.

Lord, I know You can. I don't understand why You haven't. But I know that doesn't mean You won't. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In Christ,
Laura

[Photo credit: Unsplash.com]

17 comments:

  1. Hi Laura - I loved your post. This morning I was struggling with my prayer time with God. Well to be honest for a bit now. You have reminded me how important it is to keep praying specifically for the request that have not been answered. I hope you link it up with Grace and Truth on Friday I know our readers will love your post too.

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  2. This is so important, and I'm so glad you're sticking with it! Prayer has been a focus for me lately, and I understand the hurt of praying and pouring out our hearts only to receive seemingly nothing in return. But you're right, prayer changes us. Prayer keeps communication open between us and God so that we don't drift away. So thankful for your words.

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  3. This is great truth to hold onto, Laura! Thanks for the reminder to keep praying specifically!

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  4. Yes, I've felt this way about many situations that didn't turn out the way I hoped they would or just languished on without an apparent answer, Laura. So I'm grateful that you were brave enough to admit that you struggle with this from time to time. It is an encouragement we all need to hear and know that we are not alone in the struggle to persevere! Thanks and I'll be pinning and tweeting!

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  5. Ahhhh, Laura. Such a beautiful, truth-filled post! So much of what you shared resonated with my heart. God has been calling me to be more intentional in prayer too. So I’m re-establishing that discipline. I love what you shared about how prayer keeps the door to hope open. Needed that reminder.

    Thank you!

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  6. I faced something very similar. Last night. Exactly. Oh my...this was convicting. And encouraging. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Thanks for the reminders about prayer, Laura. I have had these exact same thoughts before. Why bother? But then what if breakthrough is right around the corner? Have a great day!

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  8. It's true prayer keeps us close to Him and focused on Him. Great post.

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  9. Laura, I have learned to pray the very moment someone asks. Because if I wait? I forget. Neighbors at Patricia's today.

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  10. Laura, thank you for the reminder that prayer is the most important and vital thing we can do. And may we persist because we will reap a harvest IF we do not give up! Blessings!

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  11. I've learned over the years that my prayer time doesn't have to be specific, focused time in the morning. I can commune with God at any time of the day. I try to "pray continually" and as the need comes. I lay hands on the computer screen a lot to lift up my sisters around the world.

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  12. Beautiful post. Such truth. This especially: "My prayers for someone else aren't just for that person, they are for me too." I'm learning that. Seeing where I avoid praying and what that says about my own heart state. It's learning to come to Him with my doubts and unbelief and asking Him to "help my unbelief" - believing He can and will. You encourage me with one situation in particular right now. LORD teach me to faithfully come again and again for this one situation.

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  13. Oh, heavens! The "Why Bother" disease infects me at times as well. I get so impatient to see results. Only God knows what the purposefulness and patience of continued prayer will work in our lives-- if we let it!

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  14. Thank you for these wise words, Laura! I just read the book "Even If Not" which taught me how much He wants us to want Him more than the answer.

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  15. Excellent post, Laura! Thanks for the reminder to continue in prayer, (even if I become weary of waiting for answers).

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  16. Laura, We really do want instantaneous answers of our own design, don't we? Thank you so much for reminder of why we pray and why it matters. Such a hope-filled and IMPORTANT reminder! I am so thankful to have you as a part of #MomentsofHope and want you to know this post is my featured post for the week! ♥ It will be featured tomorrow with links to your post and your Twitter profile.


    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

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  17. When our prayers seem not to be answered, it can be easy to stop. To wonder if we are making a difference. But we must persevere. It seems sometimes it changes us more than the situation. Which I suppose is pat of God's plan.

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