Growing up in church I heard how important prayer was and what a difference it could make. You've probably heard the saying "Seven days without prayer makes one week." Until recently I didn't realize what an amazing tool prayer is. I've taken it for granted but now that is changing.
I bought a book last week called "Praying for your Future Husband", written by Robin Jones Gunn. I finished it in two days. That book got me thinking about how important prayer is and how powerful it can be. When we pray we are literally going to battle as we bring our requests before the Lord. Satan doesn't want us to pray because he knows how powerful it is. Why do you think it's so easy for us to forget to pray before we eat or to take time to pray during the day? Why do you think prayer is always the last option? I believe that sometimes Satan prevents us from praying. We have to be diligent to pray. We have to give it our all.
"The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment, let us answer God's standing challenge, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not!'" (J. Hudson Taylor)
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things 'above all that we ask or think'." Andrew Murray
When I finished reading the book I decided that I wanted to try prayer out. I wanted to see what God could do if I would dedicate myself to praying, believing that He would answer. And that is exactly what I have tried to do over the last week.
Some of my friends and I are going to Italy this Fall and we are working hard to earn the money to pay for our trip. Here we are 1 1/2 months before the final payment is due and we are all, at times, struggling to see how we will get it paid for. We are taking turns praying each week for 10 minutes a day asking God to help us accomplish this goal. This week is my week. :) I asked for it to be my week so I could really "try" prayer out. I have been praying for God to perform a miracle for each of us; something that would uniquely show each of us that God is able to help us go to Italy. Today I realized that God was answering that prayer for me specifically. I was able to get some overtime at work, babysit, dog sit, and I'm remembering to take my lunch to work. God also showed His sense of humor by letting me lose something. When I do my budget on payday I put my gas money on a 7-11 gas card and pay for gas at the pump. I used it last payday and had $20.99 left on it. When I went to put gas in my car the second time that pay period the card had no money! I had to spend $20 from my account on gas that I had not designated to anything in particular! I found the gas card that had money on it this payday. :) God provided during a paycheck that seemed like it wouldn't stretch far enough. How great is our God!!!
I challenge you to try prayer out!! God will answer you! It may not always be a yes but He is listening. Cry out to Him! He cares about even the smallest needs.
"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16
And in case you were wondering, I am praying for my future husband. I have a list of things I pray for. Not a list of what he should look like though! I'll leave that to God. I am praying first of all for him to be saved if he isn't already, for him to put God first and serve Him with his whole heart, and also for his daily struggles. I can't wait to see how God answers these prayers!! :)
Linda
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