Prayer For Vindictive Work Colleagues

Prayer for work colleagues

by Natalie (New York)

dear lord, i am a young girl living alone in new york city. as hard as i try, i cannot tell who is real or not in this town. who is honest and speaking truth in your name or who is insincere.

I do not want to struggle anymore and I ask kindly oh Lord that you make anew my working relationships and friendships so only those closest to you oh lord in mind and heart come into my life and influence me.

I want to take care of my family using my gifts and I wish to be guided in the most right way, in the most correct manner in service of this undertaking and of the creative energy you have given me oh lord.

I do not want to be lusted after or controlled, i simply want the opportunity to do good work and take care of my family. thank you all and god bless you with love and protection throughout your life.

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In the United States today, so many people are unemployed.  Some are fearful of being laid off.  Others wonder about promotions.  Many are looking for better jobs.  There are a number of issues facing our country today regarding employment.  Here are 7 prayers that you can pray about specific needs in the workplace.

Prayer for Work

Most Merciful Father,

I’m at my wits end, Lord.  I feel I have tried every avenue to find work and yet I have not gotten a single phone call about my applications that I have sent out.   Lord, I want to provide for my family.

  I want to make a steady income that can pay my rent/mortgage and provide meals for my spouse and children.  Lord, you know what is best for me and I lay these burdens at your throne now.

  You are good all of the time, Father, and I am placing my trust in you this day.  I love you Lord!  Amen

Jobs at Risk

Blessed Lord,

You already know before I speak what I am going to say.  Nothing I say is a surprise to You and yet You yearn for my voice daily.  I love You, God, because You love me as Your own child.  I bring you a huge burden today, Lord.  My company is downsizing because they are losing money.  O gracious Lord, my department was told about potential lay-offs.  I plead with You now, Father.

  Please keep my position safe.  I am scared for my future, Lord.  I pray for Your peace that truly passes all understanding.  Give me an ease of mind as I continue to work at my job.  Lord, if I am laid off, it is because You have allowed it and I pray that You would have another open door ready for me to walk through.  You are King, Father, and I trust in Your will this day.

  Amen

Possible Promotions

Wonderful Lord,

You have blessed me with so much, Father.  I have a wonderful family and church family.  I thank you for Your love and I must lay a burden at Your feet.  Father, You know about the promotion that I may get.  Lord, it would be a huge blessing to receive it.  I am not putting my faith in money, Lord.  My faith is in You only.

  If You allow me this promotion, I will use it faithfully as You see fit.  I will be responsible with it and pay off existing debts and I will continue to tithe at church.  Father, I am giving this completely to You and whatever Your decision is, I will thank You because You are loving, gracious and generous even in poverty.

  I love You, Abba Father.  Amen

Career Decisions

“While there are many problems facing us all at our jobs, we have one ultimate solution and that is to trust fully in God.”

Loving Father,

I praise You because You love me in spite of all of my failures and weaknesses.  You wash me in Your Word and clean my soul up more with each passage I read.  Father, I bring You a burden this day.  I feel I am stuck in a dead end job with no possibility of promotion.  I am barely floating above water right now.

  You have blessed me with other talents that I could potentially use in other career fields.  Father, if You are willing, I pray for You to open a door to a different career for me.  I would love to use the talents You have given me to provide for my family.  Where You lead, I will follow.

  I praise Your name, Lord!  Amen

Am I Transparent?

Holy Lord,

Blessed be Your name always.  You have set my feet on a solid rock, Jesus Christ.  I thank You, Jesus, for Your bravery and love that saved me from my sins on the cross.  I will praise You forever!  Lord, I feel a doormat at work.

  I have tried to promote ideas to better the work environment while cutting down on costs.  Management usually pacifies me with words they will not follow through on.  They say, “we will consider it” but I know they forget about me as soon as they walk away.

  I just want to be seen as a person and not an object to make them money.  I love You, Lord and I will follow You wherever You lead.  I love You!  Amen

Struggles with Co-workers

Beautiful Lord,

You are abounding in grace and mercy for Your children.  I am so thankful that You call me Your child.  Lord, work is getting stressful because of the environment I am in.  Father, there are many people who hate You there and they make my life miserable because they know that I love You.

  I trust in James as it says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” (James 1:2)  I realize the benefit of being persecuted for believing in Jesus and I gladly accept whatever comes my way.  Lord, I pray that You would soften the hearts of my co-workers.  I will keep planting seeds, Lord.

  I pray that they will let you water them.  I love you, Father.  Amen

Tragic Circumstances

Oh Merciful Father,

My company has lost a great man to a tragic accident and his life was taken from him.  Father, many people at work really loved this man and everyone is lost right now.  Father, I pray for strength while I am grieving.

  Lord, use me to show Your love to all of those hurting at my job.  I want to be the light that shines in the darkness, Father.  I really need Your strength though.  Carry me, Lord, as I help carry others through this difficult time.

  You are my strength when I am weak, Lord.  I love You, Father.  Amen

Conclusion

While there are many problems facing us all at our jobs, we have one ultimate solution and that is to trust fully in God.  God knows what is best for us in all circumstances.  I pray that you will trust in God fully with your employment burdens, wants and needs as you continue to live a life worthy of the calling.  God bless you all.

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To maintain a working relationship with co-workers who are hard to get along with, use this prayer for them and for yourself.

Difficult to get along with co-worker’s prayer:

What about the difficult co-worker that everybody struggles to get along with, or at least you do.  If you have lived long enough you already know that relationships in and the workplace can be difficult.

  As Christians we are called to love all people, bosses, even those who seem to be difficult to get along with.

  Matthew 5:46 says “If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?  Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.”

Here is a prayer to pray for difficult co-worker relationships:

Heavenly Father,

Example:   I know that you are well aware of the struggles I have with relating to is always so negative and it seems whenever I give a suggestion or say something there is always a loud and negative response that gives that goes against whatever I say.  I can’t seem to understand why there is so much animosity between us and it certainly makes me want to stay as far away from as possible.  I feel anxious and stressed out about even going into work knowing that I will have to deal with this situation.

After telling God about the difficult relationship, continue praying this prayer:

My first reaction when relationships are difficult is to just stay away and have no involvement with the individual but I know that you call me to set an example for Christ and to love all who I encounter.

  I am asking for your help today and asking you to show me how to understand so that we can have a healthy work relationship that who knows may turn into a friendship because you work in mysterious ways.

I pray for today that you will show touch in a special way.  I pray that you will bless and that would have an encounter with you today that will cause to be transformed.

  I pray that you would heal the inner hurts and pains experienced in life that are having an effect on their means to relate and communicate with me and with others.

  I pray that you would give a heart of flesh in replace for what seems to be a heart of stone.

I pray that through me and others in life that you would let your love be known to .

  This seems such a difficult tasks when I look at it through my eyes but I know that it is not too difficult for you.

Your word is clear according to John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son so that whosoever would believe in him would not perish but have everlasting life”.   I pray that if do not know you that they would find salvation through Jesus Christ and that through my life that the light of Christ would shine for to see that there is something different about me.

I pray for whatever may be going on beneath the surface with that would cause them to hurt or act out the way that does.

  I pray for peace in the home, I pray for relationships in the home, I pray for financial situations, I pray for healing for any health issues or anything that may be going on that feels alone with or that it is too much to bear.

  I pray that will find healing, deliverance, and wholeness that only comes through a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Father God, I know that when I pray that you hear me and that you will move in this situation.

  No matter how long it may take for change to be noticeable, I pray that you would change me also in the process so that I do not feel overwhelmed or stressed or anxious around this person but that I will give it all over to you and allow you to work through me to love and to show kindness, and compassion to and this come through humbling myself under your mighty righteous hand.  For, I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength”.

In Jesus name I pray.  Amen.

Other Helpful Articles:

Stressful work relationships prayer action plan

Prayer for bosses, supervisors and those in authority in your workplace

Prayer for co-workers

Family Problems prayer

Copyright Sondra Green 2014.  All rights reserved.

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7 Prayers for Employment or Work

In the United States today, so many people are unemployed.  Some are fearful of being laid off.  Others wonder about promotions.  Many are looking for better jobs.  There are a number of issues facing our country today regarding employment.  Here are 7 prayers that you can pray about specific needs in the workplace.

7 Movies about Work That Can Help Your Career

Usually, trips to the movie theatre are all about salted popcorn, oversized soft drinks and blockbuster thrills; two hours of escapism, essentially, where you can forget about work and immerse yourself in the drama, laughs or shocks of alternative worlds.

But what about those films where, actually, if you’re paying attention, there’s a few handy career lessons to be learned? Some movies offer a wealth of educational and inspiring wisdom that we can apply to our own lives, directly or otherwise; it could be to your benefit to try and spot them.

To point you in the right direction, we’ve compiled a brief list, so clear out your weekend schedule, crack open a jumbo bag of tortilla chips and get your notepad ready. Here are seven movies about work that could really help your career…

1. Office Space (1999)

20th Century Fox via IMDB

For the uninitiated, Mike Judge’s 1999 cult classic is the ultimate workplace critique – a 90-minute dissemination of frustration, boredom and small-scale rebellion, told through the hypnotised eyes of Ron Livingston’s work-weary software engineer.

Encapsulating every soul-crushing, exasperating inanity of corporate America (including memo etiquette, “cases of the Mondays” and the grim familiarity of Gary Cole’s tortuous middle manager), it may not drive you to burn your own office down, but it will certainly help you realise the importance of purpose and satisfaction away from your 9-to-5 grind.

Definitive scene: That photocopier scene. No words required – just the raw, visceral culmination of a million office fantasies being realised at once.

See also: The Office (TV series), Silicon Valley (TV series)

2. Up in the Air (2009)

Paramount Pictures via IMDB

On the surface, this existential drama about George Clooney’s corporate ‘downsizer’ (a.k.a. someone who fires people for a living) is a character study of loneliness and nonfulfillment.

Looking at it from a career perspective, though, it riffs on some relevant workplace themes; particularly, the importance of maintaining face-to-face communication in an increasingly digitalised environment, the oft-overlooked personal effects of corporate restructuring and the general lack of empathy that many companies have for their staff.

If you’re a frequent business traveller, it also offers some insightful observations into the nomadic nature of the lifestyle; this is an important film for anyone who’s ever compromised their home life in exchange for their career.

Definitive scene: “At what point were you going to stop and go back to what made you happy?” Clooney’s Ryan Bingham asks a recently fired office worker why he abandoned his dream of becoming a chef for a life of corporate stability.

See also: Thank You for Smoking

3. The Intern (2015)

Warner Bros Pictures via IMDB

There are several lessons that can be taken away from this charming 2015 comedy/drama (not least how to handle the various startup leadership dilemmas that Anne Hathaway's Jules encounters over the course of the film) but the real star turn is undoubtedly Robert De Niro’s eponymous intern, Ben, a wise old head who foregoes the boredom of his widower retirement to take a menial position at a design company.

Of course, after an initial b scepticism, the cynical assortment of millennials all realise that they have plenty to learn from the old timer, be it in life, love or work. But there’s plenty to make you think about your own career, too, from your goals and motivations to what you’re prepared to do to reach them.

Definitive scene: “You’re never wrong to do the right thing”. Ben channels his inner Mark Twain to impart some much-needed leadership wisdom on his young boss.

See also: The Internship

4. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)

Paramount Pictures via IMDB

When you overlook the copious drug abuse, the hedonistic lifestyle and the extremely dubious moral compass of just about every character in The Wolf of Wall Street, there are some hugely interesting takeaways from Martin Scorsese’s 2013 classic.

Criminal stock broker Jordan Belfort (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) may be odious and unable in every possible way, yet he inspires an unwavering loyalty and sense of commitment from his workforce.

wise, Matthew McConaughey’s five-minute cameo as Mark Hanna is about as seminal a mentorship as you’ll ever see on the big screen.

Just don’t bring your goldfish to work on the busiest day of the year…

Definitive scene: “Sell me this pen”. In one short, almost throwaway exchange, Jon Bernthal's Brad demonstrates what separates a natural entrepreneur from the millions of wide-eyed 'suckers' who’ll never quite grasp the secret.

See also: Glengarry Glen Ross, Wall Street, Suits (TV series)

5. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

DreamWorks Pictures via IMDB

You might be wondering what a nonsensical, ad-libbed, slapstick comedy set in a 1970s newsroom might have to do with your career, but the only thing sillier than the jokes is the fact that women in the workplace were once genuinely viewed in the same way that Will Ferrell’s Ron Burgundy and co are guilty of here.

From the blatant sexual harassment to the total ignorance of gender equality (“What in the hell is diversity?!”), it’s clear that the characters’ over-the-top misogyny is the butt of the joke; this should serve as a reminder of just how ridiculous workplace attitudes once were, though, and why it’s so important that companies continue to strive for an equal footing now.

Definitive scene: “Times are changing – ladies can do stuff now, and you’re going to have to learn to deal with it”. In a brief cameo, Mexican action star Danny Trejo explains the new world order to a disgruntled Burgundy.

See also: Made in Dagenham

6. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

20th Century Fox via IMDB

There have been some memorably horrible bosses portrayed on the big screen, but Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly – loosely the real-life Vogue editor Anna Wintour – is surely at the top of the pile. Cutting, vindictive and acid-tongued, she is the embodiment of every tyrannical manager you’ve ever complained about to colleagues when you’re three drinks deep at the Friday get-together.

Aside from riffing on the perils of bad bosses, The Devil Wears Prada also touches on our professional ambitions and asks us what we are prepared to do in order to impress our superiors, let alone achieve our goals. This is essential viewing for anyone who’s ever been faced with the moral dilemmas that office politics can entail and, certainly, for anyone who’s ever been made to feel tiny by their boss.

Definitive scene: “Is there some reason that my coffee isn’t here? Has she died or something?” Priestly strikes a chord of fear into the heart of every intern that’s ever been responsible for the office coffee run.

See also: The Devil’s Advocate, Horrible Bosses

7. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Columbia Pictures via IMDB

the true story of investment broker Chris Gardner (portrayed here by the Oscar-nominated Will Smith), The Pursuit of Happyness (deliberately misspelt) is essentially a tale of determination, ingenuity and pure dedication to succeed. In the film, Gardner’s motivation is simply to provide a better life for his young son, but his story and his methods can serve as inspiration to anyone who has their eyes set on a particular career goal.

There’s a few practical tips, too; as a gifted salesman by trade, there are plenty of interesting closing techniques on show, while the scene depicting Gardner’s initial interview with a brokerage firm offers some insights into the benefits of being honest and, more importantly, being yourself.

Definitive scene: “If people can’t do something, they want to tell you that you can’t do it. Don’t ever let somebody tell you that. If you want something, go and get it. Period.” Gardner reflects on his own struggles while encouraging his wannabe athlete son.

See also: Seven Pounds, Cinderella Man

As you can see, there’s plenty of guidance to be found in these career movies, even if you have to dig a little deeper to find them. So, whether you’re a student planning your next move, a graduate struggling to choose the right calling or an experienced professional simply looking for a little inspiration, don’t be afraid to consult the big screen – you never know what you might learn!

Источник: //www.careeraddict.com/movies-work

10 Good Prayers for Coworkers

Whether you are praying for relief from a disgruntled employee or have concerns for your fellow employee, here is a look at some great prayers for coworkers. This is a great way to reach out and seek help from the Lord and receive a blessing.

Prayer #1

My Heavenly father, as I enter this workplace I bring your presence with me. I speak your peace, your grace, your mercy, and your perfect order in this office. I acknowledge your power over all that will be spoken, thought, decided, and done within these walls.

Prayer #2

Lord, I thank you for the gifts you have blessed me with. I commit to using them responsibly in your honor. Give me a fresh supply of strength to do my job. Anoint my projects, ideas, and energy so that even my smallest accomplishment may bring you glory.

Prayer #3

Lord, when I am confused guide me. When I am burned out infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit. May the work that I do and the way I do it bring faith, joy, and a smile to all that I come in contact with today.

Prayer #4

Dear God, I am in such a difficult position at work as I have a number of colleagues that are making my position there very difficult. They are trying to cause problems between my superiors and me, which is quite concerning, as I do not want to lose this job – Lord I need this job to support my family.

Be with me Lord as I go to work each day and help me I pray to be a good witness for You – and not to become disheartened by the unkind way that a number of my work-mates have been treating me recently.

Lord at times I dread going in to work, as the comments and attitude that they have towards me is quite cruel and pray that You would put a stop to this abuse I am receiving– but I also know that You are a God who can bring good evil and even change things overnight. I know also Lord, that You had to endure so much worse from those that despised You and I pray that I may endure this difficult time at work, with the grace that only comes from You.

Thank You Lord for being there and listening, in Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Prayer #5

Heavenly Father, thank You for this new day and for the opportunities and challenges that will inevitably come my way. Lord I pray that You would be with me in all I say and do and help me to be a light shining in a dark place, where the Lord Jesus is seen in me..

Keep my mind alert and give me wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent. Guard the choices I make and may I rely on the gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit, for Lord I know that You know the best plan for my life and I trust You to carry it out to its completion.

I ask Your special blessing on each of my work colleagues and if an opportunity arises to witness about the truth of Scripture, help me to be ready to speak, slow to anger and able to share the truth of the gospel of grace and willing and ready to give an answer for the faith I have in You. Be my guard and guide in all things and may today be a day when You are glorified in my life, in Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Prayer #6

Oh Father God, I am so distressed that one of my colleagues at work has been involved in a fatal accident – and it is such a shock, not only to me and to colleagues, but also to his dear wife and their children too.

Lord we are all in shock and grieving at this tragic loss and ask for Your comfort and strength, as we all try to come to terms with what has happened – and how this life has been snatched away from us all, so suddenly.

Shine the light of Your hope and comfort into the hearts of all that have been affected by this very sad and sudden death, and I pray that You will provide all that is needful for his family, now that their bread-winner has been taken from them so suddenly and tragically.

May this be a reminder to us all of how very fragile our lives are and also may it cause each of us to examine our own hearts to see where we stand with God – and Lord for any who do not know You, I pray that this may be the catalyst to cause them to turn to Christ for their Salvation – for our only hope of eternal life is in You alone, This I ask in Jesus name,

Amen

Prayer #7

Dear Lord, I lift up my hands and heart to You this morning as I start to prepare myself for another day at work – and I ask You to lead and guide me in all I say and do – and by Your grace may I bring glory to Your name throughout this day. Look down I pray, with grace and mercy on every one of my work colleagues as they travel to and from work and as we spend the day working alongside each other, in our various tasks and duties.

Lord I bring each one of my colleagues to You this morning, thanking You for the life of each one and the part that they play in our work together. Thank You also for those who have made a commitment to You as their Saviour and I pray that together we may demonstrate the love of the Lord Jesus as we carry out our daily tasks together.

Lord I particularly lift those of my work colleagues who have not yet accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and plead Your pity and mercy over them – Lord I know that it is not Your will that anyone should perish but that all come to a trusting faith in Jesus – and Lord I am praying into Your will be done in each and every life.. and ask You to convict every one of their need of Salvation.. Lord I pray that You would give me wisdom to know when to say something about You and when to remains quiet. Bless this day and all with whom I share it and may Your will be done in my life, fom this day forward and for evermore, in Jesus name I pray,

Amen

Prayer #8

Heavenly Father, Thank You that I am in Christ and that I am not of this world. Thank You that I am seated with Christ in heavenly places and that my home is in heaven. Thank You that I am Your child.. and Lord – knowing that I am in the world but not of the world, I ask that You would give me the grace and wisdom to live in such a way as to glorify Your name in all I say and do.

Help me Lord to pray from my work colleagues with a biblical mind-set. Help me not to despise the shame or ridicule that I am having to endure, but rather I pray that I may demonstrate the sort of spirit that Christ Jesus my Lord showed when He learned obedience by the things that He had to suffer.

Lord You know that there are problems at work but I pray that I would face them in a manner that is pleasing to You – so that I may grow in grace and mature in the faith – Teach me Your ways and may I rest on Your faithful promises, no matter what hostility I receive from my work colleagues or any other area. Keep me ever looking to Jesus the author and finisher of my faith.

Amen

Prayer #9

Dear Lord, thank You for placing me in this particular position in my work and for the colleagues that you have seen fit to put alongside me.

I pray that in all things my life and my work will be a witness of Your grace and that I may honour You in the workplace – in all that I say and do.

I pray that by Your grace, my work may be carried out efficiently, effectively and thoroughly and I pray that in all things I my act wisely and fairly so that the name of Christ Jesus is not dishonoured by me.

I pray that all I do, in word and deed may be pleasing to You O Lord and of benefit of those with whom I work.

I pray that You would underscore and oversee the many projects with which I am engaged, and may I demonstrate to others a life that is lead and guided by the Holy Spirit of God.

Grant me a happy and gracious disposition in my work, and give me I pray, the wisdom I need for every decision I make.

May the light and love of the Lord Jesus shine through me so that all with whom I come in contact today may desire to know the One in whom I have believed..

May all I do be done faithfully and joyfully and may I value all those who cross my path today, I ask this in the name of Jesus,

Amen

Prayer #10

Heavenly Father, I want to lift up all of my work colleagues to You and pray Your grace and blessings on each one.

Thank You that you have placed me alongside these men and women and I pray that You would give me the wisdom and words to glorify God in all I say and do – and may the attitude I display towards each of these work colleagues be kind, gracious and seasoned with salt, so that I may honour Your holy name..

May I be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in me when asked and I pray that my life may be a true witness to Your grace and loving-kindness.

Give me wisdom to know when to open my mouth and when to remain silent and keep me I pray, from displaying actions and attitudes that would discredit Your holy name.

Thank You Lord for those of my workmates that already know You as Saviour – and may they grow in grace and in a knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ..

but I also lift up those colleagues of mine that have not accepted Jesus as their Saviour.

I pray that many may come to trust in the finished work of Calvary and the blood of Christ Jesus our Lord – and turn to You as the their Saviour, this I ask in the name of Jesus,

Amen

Check out the following video on the best ways to pray for coworkers.

About the Author of this Blog Post
Crystal Ayres has served as our editor-in-chief for the last five years. She is a proud veteran, wife and mother. The goal of ConnectUs is to publish compelling content that addresses some of the biggest issues the world faces. If you would to reach out to contact Crystal, then go here to send her a message.

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Does Prayer Work?

By:  Joel Lindsey

Prayer can be an ongoing conversation with God, but does it make any difference?

When we talk to God, we’re praying. When God talks to us, we’re schizophrenic.Lily Tomlin

The idea of talking to God—praying—is kind of weird, isn’t it?

Usually when you talk to someone, you can hear his or her response to you. But prayer is different. Prayer looks you’re basically just talking to yourself.

How do you talk with someone who doesn’t necessarily talk back—audibly, at least? And if you believe that God not only listens to prayers but answers them too, how do you distinguish your own thoughts and feelings from God’s answers?

Then there’s the really big question: Does prayer even work?

What’s the point of praying if God already knows the future, orchestrates what’s going to happen, and knows what we need? And yet, billions of people all over the world practice some form of prayer. Why bother if it doesn’t make a difference?

Why Bother?

Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, and adherents to many other religions share a common thread of prayer.

For instance, Buddhists believe not so much in praying to an external god but in praying to awaken their own abilities buried deep within. Muslims believe that their prayers, which are required five times a day, are a reminder of God and a calling to a greater purpose beyond themselves.

Christians, too, believe that prayer can powerfully change lives, that it should be practiced regularly, and that it can help us refocus our priorities. Christianity further teaches that prayer also has the ability to dramatically affect the world and influence how God chooses to interact with humanity.2

Many Christians would describe it this: In mysterious but sovereign ways, God has decided to allow prayer to influence and accomplish his will. He chose prayer as the means through which to involve his followers in his plan. Prayer is one way God accomplishes his purposes in, through, and surrounding the one who prays.

A Changed Heart

Many of us pray to God as if he were a genie in a bottle. We hope that, if we’re lucky, he’ll hear us and act according to our wishes.

However, many faiths, including Christianity, paint a deeper and more intimate portrait of prayer. Rather than using God as a means to an end, within prayer God is the end. The believer prays, trusting in the character and power of God.

One of the chief purposes of prayer, then, is to transform the heart of the person praying to more closely resemble the heart of God. It’s not so much about getting tangible “results” from God. It is rather an opportunity to know God more fully, to better understand what he wants of each of us, and to establish a lifelong relationship.

Prayer is a lifestyle of humble dependence, of living in community and harmony with God, the source of life.

Ask and It Will Be Given

This is not to say that there’s no place for making specific, personal requests for God’s direction and provision. In speaking to his disciples about prayer, Jesus said:

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!3

But how could God, an entity massive enough to create the universe, really care about the little details of my tiny life?

This is the heart of the Christian message—God cares so deeply about each one of us that he has provided a way for us to have an authentic, intimate relationship with him. Prayer is one of the incredible blessings of the Christian faith, for the more we believe, the more God reveals himself.

Building Trust

anything worthwhile, prayer is a process. It takes time, commitment, and discipline.4 Prayer is not meant to happen only in times of desperation. It is meant to be an ongoing conversation.

And that’s where it gets fascinating. As someone invests in and becomes more comfortable with prayer, one of the ways in which it “works” is in the growing trust that person gains.

Praying people have reported miracles and answers to prayers that they never would have imagined and certainly couldn’t have created on their own. They believe that prayer made the difference.

Imagine a miracle that you would to see—maybe the healing of sick relative, the repairing of a broken relationship, or the redeeming of a seemingly hopeless situation. Could prayer be your answer? Could miracles become your experience?

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  By:  Joel Lindsey
  © ExploreGod.com

  Prayer can be an ongoing conversation with God, but does it make any difference?

  When we talk to God, we’re praying. When God talks to us, we’re schizophrenic.Lily Tomlin

  The idea of talking to God—praying—is kind of weird, isn’t it?

  Usually when you talk to someone, you can hear his or her response to you. But prayer is different. Prayer looks you’re basically just talking to yourself.

  How do you talk with someone who doesn’t necessarily talk back—audibly, at least? And if you believe that God not only listens to prayers but answers them too, how do you distinguish your own thoughts and feelings from God’s answers?

  Then there’s the really big question: Does prayer even work?

  What’s the point of praying if God already knows the future, orchestrates what’s going to happen, and knows what we need? And yet, billions of people all over the world practice some form of prayer. Why bother if it doesn’t make a difference?

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