Prayer Of Support To Those Overwhelmed

Prayer for Anxiety: When You’re Overwhelmed

Prayer Of Support To Those Overwhelmed
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As one who has struggled with an anxiety disorder for most of my adult life, I know just how important prayer for anxiety is.

And in addition to struggling with an anxiety disorder, I also regularly find myself in the midst of circumstances that tempt me to feel anxious. Whether it’s the stress of upcoming bills or the health of my children or the pressure of being self-employed, I find myself constantly tempted to be anxious.

I need prayer for anxiety.

But here’s the thing…

When I’m being squeezed by the vice grip of anxiety, it’s really hard for me to pray. My brain is going in 10,000 different directions and I often don’t even know what to pray.

Can you relate?

Here’s the good news though. God always hears our prayers for anxiety. He longs to help us when we’re anxious. He wants to meet us right where we are and give us the peace that passes understanding.

As Paul said in Philippians 4:6, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

So what sorts of prayers for anxiety should we pray? Here are five.

Prayer for Anxiety #1: Trusting God’s Good Character

Father, I don’t understand why you’re allowing me to go through these challenging circumstances. I don’t know why you’ve allowed me to be pressed on every side and overwhelmed by the waves of life.

But what I do know is that you are good and loving and faithful. I know that nothing can get to me without first going through you. And I know that you are working all things together for my good and your glory.

As it says in Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

So even though I may not understand why I’m experiencing these difficult trials, I know that you are walking with me every step of the way. So I lift this prayer for anxiety to you. I trust in you to sustain me even when I can’t sustain myself. You are faithful even when I am faithless.

Prayer for Anxiety #2: Trusting God’s Good Promises

Father, even though I may not be able to see how any good can come these circumstances, you have promised to never stop doing good to me.

As you say in Psalm 23:6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

In Psalm 84:11 you say, “No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

As I lift this prayer for anxiety, I believe this promise. I believe that you will not withhold a single good thing from me. If something is good for me, you’ll give it to me. If it’s not, you’ll withhold it.

I believe that right now your goodness and mercy are pursuing me. Even though I may feel anxious, I can’t escape your goodness and mercy. You are pouring out blessings on me right now, and nothing can stop your good promises from being fulfilled.

Even though I’m currently feeling anxious, I’m choosing to put my trust in your word over my feelings. I’m choosing to believe your promises rather than what my eyes can see.

Prayer for Anxiety #3: Trusting God’s Good Provision

Lord, in Philippians 4:19 you say, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

I thank you that you are going to meet my every need. I may not be able to see how you’re going to meet my every need, but I’m choosing to believe your promise.

I thank you that you are going to supply my needs your bounteous riches in Christ. I don’t have to twist your arm in order to get you to meet my needs. Just as I love to provide for my children, you absolutely love to provide abundantly for your children.

So I’m asking you to provide for me, confident that you will. Confident that you will do great things in response to my prayers.

As I lift this prayer for anxiety, I remember the words of Charles Spurgeon, who said:

It does not matter how heavy troubles are if you can cast them on the Lord. The heavier they are, so much the better, for the more you have gotten rid of, and the more there is laid on the rock.

Father, I’m casting all my cares on you because I know you care for me.

Prayer for Anxiety #4: Trusting God’s Fatherly Care

Lord, your word tells me that you care for me as a Father cares for his children. I am your child and I thank you that you love me with a deep, overwhelming, never ceasing, overpowering love.

As you say in Matthew 7:11, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

Father, even I know how to give good gifts to children, and I’m a sinful human. You are perfectly good and loving, and I thank you that you will give me good, sweet gifts. I thank you that your heart beats with Fatherly affection for me. I thank you that nothing can separate me from your intense, Fatherly love.

As it says in Romans 8:35, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?”

Because nothing can separate me from your love, I can trust you completely. I can throw all my weight on you. I can hope in you fully. I offer this prayer for anxiety, knowing that you are my good, gracious, heavenly Father.

Prayer for Anxiety #5: Trusting God to Carry Every Burden

Lord, in 1 Peter 5:6-7 you say, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Father, I humbly offer this prayer for anxiety up to you, casting all my anxieties upon you. The simple truth is that I am not able to carry all these burdens on my own. I don’t have the strength or the wisdom to successfully navigate these challenging circumstances.

And so I am casting every burden, big and small upon you. I am clinging to you in the midst of the storm, holding fast to you. Though I may not be able to carry all my burdens, you absolutely can.

Oh What Needless Pain We Bear

If you’re struggling with anxiety, run to God constantly in prayer. Don’t let anxiety dominate your life. Don’t let worry rule you. Take all your worries and fears and struggles to God and lay them at his feet.

I can’t help but be reminded of the hymn, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus“:

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,

All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

Don’t forfeit your peace or bear needless pain. Lift up your prayer for anxiety to God and let him bear your burdens.

This article originally appeared here.

Источник: //churchleaders.com/worship/worship-articles/346593-prayer-and-anxiety-when-youre-overwhelmed.html

Managing the Overwhelming Prayer List

Prayer Of Support To Those Overwhelmed

As a leader of women, are you the go-to person when prayer is needed? It's an honor to be entrusted to stand in the gap for those who hurt and need help.

But what if the needs are greater than you can reasonably carry? Have you ever felt paralyzed by the volume of prayer appeals? I've known women who sincerely desire a more fruitful intercessory prayer life but quickly become overwhelmed as they attempt to pray for everyone in their life circles.

Think Prayer

Over the years, God surrounded me with mature women who modeled a lifestyle of constant communion with the Lord. I give credit to these prayer warriors for teaching me to “think prayer”—meaning I talk to the Lord throughout the day about other people and situations outside of my control.

What fuels this type of praying is being more focused on others than you are on yourself. When the rhythm of “think prayer” begins to ebb during busy or distracting seasons, it's a signal to me to evaluate what changes need addressing in order to slow down and return to the priority of prayer.

A Simple System

We long to be leaders who are true to our promise to pray. Our hope is that when we commit to intercede for someone, then it's equally true we'll follow through. Without a system for prayer I'm guilty of forgetting, so I offer an adaptable method to organize your prayer life.

To begin, I use a simple index card system. Each card is labeled with an individual or a category, accompanied by Scripture as often as possible. Some people prefer using an app system PrayerMate, but I'm more distracted and distant from the Lord while praying attached to an electronic device.

As prayer requests come my way, I seek the Spirit's help in determining what my commitment should be in interceding for a person, a church, a ministry, or global events that are of paramount importance to Him. My prayer commitment will fall into one of five categories.

  • Pray Now requires an immediate, one-time response. Instead of pledging to pray, I offer to pray in the moment. The friend who hears you call out to Jesus on her behalf grabs hold of a spiritual life ring when reminded of God's presence, love, and eternal promises. Don't postpone prayer unless you're forced to. As I read a prayer plea through email or social media, I make it a practice to stop, focus, and pray right then (not just think about it while continuing to multi-task) before moving on to the next thing. If the Lord shows me to continue praying this request, I'll jot it down and later transfer it to a prayer card.
  • Pray Daily is targeted praying day after day for each family member, an urgent need, or for a special category that carries a particular burden from the Lord. My family consistently receives my top priority, and as long as I'm involved in ministry, it ranks second in importance. Examples might include ministry coworkers, women I lead, prodigal children or widows. These cards are kept with my Bible separate from the others. Reminiscent of how the Old Testament high priests ministered wearing a breastplate engraved with the tribes of Israel, my daily prayer time starts with the requests that are closest to my heart. God faithfully exchanges my heavy burdens for peace as I surrender them at His feet (Phil. 4:6–7; Isa. 26:3).  
  • Pray Weekly/Monthly is interceding for short-term needs or on-going requests, in particular, my pastor and local church, missionaries, and ministries. You may find it helpful to assign different days of the week or month to this category to balance the time requirement. There will be times when the Lord releases you from a prayer assignment, so look to Him to show when it's time to lay it down.  
  • Pray with a Group means that not all praying should be practiced solo. Corporate prayer is essential for God's people to seek His will together and to grow in their love for the Father and others. Have you experienced the transforming power of God warm your heart toward someone you regularly pray for? In different seasons, I've been involved with mothers pleading for their young children, older moms and grandmoms begging for the return of prodigals. Now, God has led me to gather with a group of “wailing women” (Jer. 9:17–18) whose mission is to pray for revival and our nation. All of these experiences have shaped and enriched my prayer life.  
  • Lord, Who Needs Remembering? is a question I often ask the Lord as I drift to sleep at night so that my day is hemmed in with prayer. Evening can be a particular struggle for the suffering, so I simply ask the Lord who might need my prayer offering at that moment.

It merits repeating . . . prayer is a lifestyle of continuous communion with Jesus who at this very moment is interceding for you and me (Heb. 7:25). When we imitate our Savior through the practice of prayer, we can't stop overflowing joy from welling up in our hearts. Intercession isn't meant to be taxing—and it won't be—with intentionality and practical organization.

Take some time to devise your prayer strategy and share what works for you. Let's spur one another on to keep praying and never give up the fight (Eph. 6:18)!

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Источник: //www.reviveourhearts.com/leaders/blog/managing-overwhelming-prayer-list/

13 Prayers for Moms That are Overwhelmed and Weary

Prayer Of Support To Those Overwhelmed

A mother’s job is no easy task. These prayers for moms that are overwhelmed and weary will help to provide you with words of encouragement.

Prayer #1

Lord, please fill me with your grace so that I may be restored and renewed in my role as a mother. Help me to remember that I do not have to do this alone – that you are with me to strengthen and guide me.

Prayer #2

Heavenly Father, I come to you today, humble and exhausted, and ask that you carry my burdens. I pray that you lift my weary spirit and fill me with your love and peace so that I may be restored and renewed in body and mind. Lord, pour your heavenly nourishment into my soul and give me the energy to sustain me in my role as a mother.

Prayer #3

Dear God, Thank you for my beautiful children and for all the love and joy they bring to my heart. Lord, I long to be the Mom that you want me to be, but sometimes I just get so overwhelmed with the tasks at hand that I forget to lean on You.

Lord, please use these times to remind me of your loving arms—remind me to be as patient with my children as I know you have been with me. Remind me to rest in You, Lord, and give me the strength and wisdom I need to carry out your will for my life.

In Jesus’ Name I pray.

Amen

Prayer #4

Lord, I trust in you and lean on you. I thank you for your mercy and provision for me and my family. I come to you again and ask that your will be done in this situation we are currently facing. Guard my heart and my mind and keep me focused on your will. Lord, please send your Holy Spirit to breathe your peace into my soul and walk with me on this journey.

Prayer #5

Lord, when my heart is overwhelmed, overwhelm me with Your peace. Lead me to You, my rock. Guide me to Your Word which gives me strength and refuge. Help me not to run to lesser things. Draw me to run to You first. Help me get into the habit of taking my “overwhelmed” and placing it under your will. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Prayer #6

Dear God,

Just my sweet girl, too often I allow knowing the limitless options available to me to create an appetite for things that the You never intended for me.

I pray that you would alter my way of thinking. Let my desire for You develop my options and lead my actions. I ask that you replace my fears and worries with peace and security. And I pray that you remove my anxieties of missing out and overwhelm me with a sweet confidence in Your Love.

In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Prayer #7

Father, You have the power to control the sun and the moon. You are the everlasting light. Help me to see a light at the end of my tunnel.

Sometimes I can barely remember what light looks or what it feels to have simple joy. Help me to focus on You even in the darkness.

Support my friends as they suffer losses miscarriages, death, and illness. When these trials plague those I love, I feel so helpless. Would You show off Your light in their lives?

Thank You, God, that You are our rock and healer and that You will bring our mourning to an end.

In the name of the everlasting Light, Amen.

Prayer #8

Dear Lord, I know you have a plan for my child and I thank you and praise you for allowing me the gift of being his/her mother. I am frustrated because I want to see the fruits of my labor, Lord. Please give me the patience to continue being obedient to your word in raising my child. Teach me to wait in hope and confidence for you to make your will known – in your time.

Prayer #9

Dear God, holy and mighty one. You are worthy of all praise, all honor. Your steadfast love amazes me each morning. When I hear voices around me saying I am not good enough, help me hear Your truth in my heart and give me strength.

Be with those who feel inadequate and doubt if anyone cares about them. When they question their value, give them a deeper sense of worth in Christ, and Christ alone. Thank You that we don’t have to fight for our worth because You have already called us Your children.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer #10

Jesus,
Please renew her strength for the tasks ahead of her today. Give her wisdom, patience, and… courage. Her job is the hardest one in the world. I pray that she would have moments of pure joy with each of her babies today. Let them make her smile and laugh out loud so that she might taste the reward of her labors.

One more thing, Jesus, be very near to this mom in the moment when the last child is in bed and she sits in the quiet alone. She will be so tired and that is the very moment the accuser will come to whisper his worst. He will remind her of everything she should have done that she didn’t.

He will run the replay of each moment of irritability, and every time she reached the end of her rope. Silence him, sweet Christ. May your voice be the only voice she hears.

May she find rest in you and assurance that when she has given all she has and finds that in her humanity it is simply not enough, You most certainly do not condemn her.

You make up the difference.
Amen

Prayer #11

Lord, please give me the wisdom to make decisions according to your will. Send me your vision in this situation – and make it plain that I will see it. And please show me how to teach my child to make wise decisions so that he/she may also choose the path that is pleasing to you.

Prayer #12

I pray that tomorrow you would be with me in all ups and downs of my day. Help me to find my joy in you and not in my circumstances. Help me not to fear whatever twists and turns may come. Help me to love my children and serve them well.

Help me to enjoy each moment with them and not spend my time worrying about the next moment to come. May I remember that even when it feels otherwise, you are always with me and will never leave me or forsake me. Tonight, may I sleep in peace knowing that even when I lose my grip, you never let go of me.

And may I open my eyes in the morning to find mercy, fresh and new, ready for the taking.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Prayer #13

I pray for the strength to be available to them when they need me to be, that I would not miss the opportunities to teach them through out the day, that I would not allow anything in (even my own dreams and ambition) that might steal those important moments. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7), and that I would desire to be involved in their lives by connecting with them and encouraging them in any way possible. (Ephesians 6:4).

This great sermon will teach you what to do when you are feeling overwhelmed and how to use your faith to help empower you.

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.

Источник: //connectusfund.org/13-prayers-for-moms-that-are-overwhelmed-and-weary

Thirty Day Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary

Prayer Of Support To Those Overwhelmed

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By devoutly reciting this prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary for thirty days, we may mercifully hope to obtain our prayer intention. This prayer is recommended as a proper devotion for every day in Lent, and all the Fridays throughout the year. Ever glorious and blessed Mary, Queen of Virgins, Mother of Mercy, hope and comfort of dejected and desolate souls, through that sword of sorrow which pierced thy tender heart whilst thine only Son, Christ Jesus, our Lord, suffered death and ignominy on the cross; through that filial tenderness and pure love He had for thee, grieving in thy grief, whilst from His cross He recommended thee to the care and protection of His beloved disciple, St. John, take pity, I beseech thee, on my poverty and necessities; have compassion on my anxieties and cares; assist and comfort me in all my infirmities and miseries, of what kind soever. Thou art the Mother of Mercies, the sweet comforter and only refuge of the needy and the orphan, of the desolate and afflicted. Cast, therefore, an eye of pity on a miserable, forlorn child of Eve, and hear my prayer; for since, in just punishment of my sins, I find myself encompassed by a multitude of evils, and oppressed with much anguish of spirit, wither can I fly for more secure shelter, O amiable Mother of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, than under the wings of thy maternal protection? Attend, therefore, I beseech thee, with an ear of pity and compassion, to my humble and earnest request. I ask it, through the bowels of mercy of thy dear Son; Through that love and condescension wherewith He embraced our nature, when, in compliance with the divine Will, thou gavest thy consent, and whom, after the expiration of nine months thou didst bring forth from the chaste enclosure of thy womb, to visit the world, and bless it with His presence. I ask it, through that anguish of mind wherewith thy beloved Son, our dear Saviour, was overwhelmed on the Mount of Olives, when He besought His eternal Father to remove from Him, if possible, the bitter chalice of His future passion. I ask it, through the threefold repetition of His prayers in the garden, whence afterwards, with dolorous steps and mournful tears, thou didst accompany Him to the doleful theatre of His death and sufferings. I ask it, through the welts and bruises of His virginal flesh, occasioned by the cords and whips wherewith He was bound and scourged, when stripped of His seamless garment, for which His executioners afterwards cast lots. I ask it, through the scoffs and ignominies by which He was insulted; the false accusations and unjust sentence by which He was condemned to death, and which He bore with heavenly patience. I ask it, through His bitter tears and bloody sweat; His silence and resignation; His sadness and grief of heart. I ask it, through the blood which trickled from His royal and Sacred Head, when struck with the scepter of a reed and pierced with His crown of thorns. I ask it, through the excruciating torments He suffered, when His hands and feet were fastened with gross nails to the tree of the cross. I ask it, through His vehement thirst, and bitter potion of vinegar and gall. I ask it, through His dereliction on the cross when He exclaimed, “My God! my God! why hast Thou forsaken me?” I ask it, through His mercy extended to the good thief, and through His recommending His precious soul and spirit into the hands of His eternal Father before He expired, saying, “It is consummated.” I ask it, through the blood mixed with water, which issued from His Sacred Side when pierced with a lance, and whence a flood of grace and mercy has flowed to us. I ask it, through His immaculate life, bitter passion and ignominious death on the cross, at which nature itself was thrown into convulsions, by the bursting of rocks, rending of the veil of the Temple, the earthquake, and the darkness of the sun and moon. I ask it, through His descent into hell, where He confronted the Saints of the old law with His presence, and led the captivity captive. I ask it, through His glorious victory over death, when He arose again to life on the third day, and through the joy which His appearance for forty days after gave thee, His blessed Mother, His Apostles, and the rest of His Disciples; when in thine and their presence He miraculously ascended into heaven. I ask it, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, infused into the hearts of His Disciples, when He descended upon them in the form of fiery tongues, and by which they were inspired with zeal in the conversion of the world, when they went to preach the gospel. I ask it, through the awful appearance of thy Son, at the last dreadful day, when He shall come to judge the living and the dead, and the world, by fire. I ask it, through the compassion He bore thee in His life, and the unspeakable joy thou didst feel at thine assumption into heaven, where thou art eternally absorbed in the sweet contemplation of His divine perfections. O glorious and ever blessed Virgin! comfort the heart of thy supplicant, by obtaining for me, (Mention your prayer intention here…) And as I am persuaded my Divine Saviour doth honour thee as His beloved Mother, to whom He refuses nothing, because thou asketh nothing contrary to His honour, so let me speedily experience the efficacy of thy powerful intercession, according to the tenderness of thy maternal affection, and His filial loving heart, who mercifully granteth the requests and complieth with the desires of those that love and fear Him. Wherefore, O most blessed Virgin, beside the object of my present petition, and whatever else I may stand in need of, obtain for me also of thy dear Son, our Lord and our God, a lively faith, firm hope, perfect charity, true contrition of heart, unfeigned tears of compunction, sincere confession, condign satisfaction, abstinence from sin, love of God and my neighbour, contempt of the world, patience to suffer affronts and ignominies, nay, even, if necessary, an opprobrious death itself, for love of thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Obtain wise for me, O sacred Mother of God, perseverance in good works, performance of good resolutions, mortification of self-will, a pious conversation through life, and, at my last moments, strong and sincere repentance, accompanied by such a lively and attentive presence of mind, as may enable me to receive the last Sacrament of the Church worthily, and die in thy friendship and favour. Lastly, obtain through thy Son, I beseech thee, for the souls of my parents, brethren, relatives and benefactors, both living and dead, life everlasting, from the only Giver of every good and perfect gift, the Lord God Almighty, to Whom be all power now and forever.

Amen.

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The Power of Prayer: Sacred, Overwhelming, Staggering

Prayer Of Support To Those Overwhelmed

When I think about prayer, the first thing that comes to mind is NOT the power of prayer.

And if you were to observe my prayer life, that much would be evident. The simple fact is, the amount I pray doesn’t reflect the power of prayer. When scripture talks about prayer, it speaks in explosive, world-altering terms.

James 5:16-18 says:

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

This verse that paints a breathtaking, you-gotta-be-kidding-me, picture regarding the power of prayer. It draws a direct line between the weather-altering prayer of Elijah and my prayers. It’s absolutely unbelievable. God wants me to look at Elijah’s mega-drought-inducing prayer and to think, That same kind of powerful praying is available to me. 

As the great theologian, Owen Wilson would say, “Woooowwww.”

Taking The Power of Prayer For Granted

The simple fact is, I take prayer for granted. I mean, it’s “just” prayer. I was taught to pray at a young age and my family always said prayers before dinner and bedtime. My dad would pray before we went on long trips and pray for us when we got sick.

I follow the same rhythms today. I pray when I read my Bible and have my kids pray before we start eating. I have a “standard” bedtime prayer that I say over my children. There aren’t any miracles happening (so far) after these prayers. It all seems pretty pedestrian.

If you were present for any of these prayers (which would be super weird – why are you in my house?), it would be obvious that I’m not thinking about the power of prayer in the moment.

Why is this?

One reason may be that because Christ has opened the way into the Holy Places, I can pray freely at any time of day. I can pray in the car, as I’m working, and while I’m watching my kids. Being able to pray so freely is an incredible, wonderful blessing.

I think, however, that the freeness with which I can pray causes me to take prayer for granted. I don’t treat prayer as particularly powerful or sacred. I don’t reckon with the fact that prayer is a real, live exchange between me and the living, consuming fire God.

If I’m going to start savoring the sacred power of prayer, I need to start remembering a few things when I pray.

The freeness with which I can pray causes me to take prayer for granted.Click to Tweet

The Power of Prayer: God Hears

But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. (Psalm 4:3)

O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. (Psalm 5:3)

When I pray, the Lord himself, Yahweh, the King of Kings, the commander of the armies of Heaven, hears me! The God who crushed the Egyptian army and humiliated the prophets of Baal hears when I call to him. The God who cracked the Red Sea, who singlehandedly dismantled the Babylonians, who conquered the Midianites with 300 men and a coward of a general, is attuned to my prayers.

The power of prayer doesn’t come from the words I say but from the God who hears.

I’m not babbling empty words into a void. I’m not simply talking to myself. This is not the power of positive speaking.

When I call, God hears.

I can’t overstate how astonishing this is. God truly and really hears when I pray. Why would I not take advantage of this more often? Why do I so often strive in my own strength when the omnipotent One is waiting for me to pray to him?

The Power of Prayer: God Acts

And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and wdo not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:21-22

Not only does God hear my prayers, he actually responds to them. The more I think about this, the more I have trouble comprehending it.

I ask and God acts.

My words of supplication move the heart of the King of the Universe. He keeps the planets in orbit. He keeps atoms from accidentally splitting and creating a nuclear holocaust. He ordains rains and flames and the rise and fall of presidents and dictators.

And this same God acts on my behalf when I pray. This, indeed, is the staggering power of prayer.

When I pray, God does real, amazing, incredible things. He changes circumstances. He softens hearts. He saves parents and children. He gives peace that passes understanding. He intervenes with financial provision. He brings reconciliation. Prayer brings the Almighty God into the mundane details of my life.

Prayer brings the Almighty God into the mundane details of my life.Click to Tweet

Prayer is no vain ritual. Prayer is inviting the living God to intervene on my behalf.

The Power of Prayer: God Strengthens

O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more. (Psalm 10:17-18)

Not only does God hear me when I pray, but he also strengthens me. In the midst of affliction, when I barely have the strength to call out to God, he hears me and strengthens me. He imparts real spiritual, emotional, and even physical strength to me.

Prayer connects me to the infinite strength of God. This is the glorious power of prayer. Though I am pathetically weak, prayer plugs me into the One who makes supernovas look nightlights. Prayer is a divine invitation to experience the life-altering power of God.

Again, why would I neglect this? I’m reminded of the hymn that says:

Oh, what peace we often forfeitOh, what needless pain we bearAll because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer

The Power of Prayer: God Blesses

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11)

God is eager to bless me. Just as I am eager to give good gifts to my kids, God is eager to give good gifts to me. When I pray, God unleashes blessings into my life.

I realize that sounds terribly Joel Osteen-ish, but it’s not. It’s God’s word. God will give me good things when I pray to him. He will bless me and pour out his incredible riches into my life.

Over and over in scripture, we see God responding to prayer with blessing. When I neglect prayer, I am missing out on unique grace God wants to give me.

Moving Past Prayer Lists

I think that, at times, prayer lists tend to make me forget about the power of prayer.

Don’t get me wrong – prayer lists are useful tools. They help me remember to pray for things I would normally forget. Every so often, usually after reading an inspiring book on prayer, I get on a prayer list kick. I resolve to be more diligent and faithful in prayer. To be Paul, who was always remembering people in his prayers.

Despite my affection for prayer lists, I tend to drift away from them. If I had to put my finger on why, I would say I tend to abandon prayer lists most frequently because my prayer lists are often boring and unimaginative. They are stale, old, bland crackers. They read recipes.

The reality is: my prayer lists are limited by my imagination.

They’re filled with small, limited, mundane requests.

In other words, my prayer lists don’t reflect the power of prayer. 

If you looked at my prayer list, you wouldn’t be , “Woah! Hold me back! You must think you’re John the Baptist or something, cause you got some crazy things you’re asking for here.” I don’t usually have any big, audacious, faith-stretching requests on my prayer lists.

Why is this the case? Why are my prayer lists so boring? Because I fail to take into account scriptures Ephesians 3:20, which speak about the glorious power of prayer:

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…

This verse blows my boring prayer lists to bits. I don’t put much thought or passion into my prayer lists. They function spiritual grocery lists: a checklist of various things I need. But this verse says that God is able to do far more abundantly than I can ask, or even think.

If I sat down and really thought about it, I could come up with some pretty big, important things to ask God. Things that I wouldn’t normally ask for because they are so…well, big. Things that are a definite stretch for my faith.

I pray for the salvation of my children. If I’m being really bold and imaginative, I’ll pray that God would dramatically and powerfully get hold of each of my children. Ephesians 3:20 tells me that God can do incredible, powerful, life-shaking things for my children that I couldn’t even imagine! Do I believe this?

I pray for God’s provision for my family. If I’m being really bold and imaginative, I’ll pray that God would provide enough for us to give a chunk of money away to someone in need. Ephesians 3:20 tells me that God can provide for my family in breathtaking, surprising, “Holy smokes, God is in this place,” kinds of ways. Do I believe this?

I pray that God would deepen my love for him. If I’m being really bold and imaginative, I’ll pray that God would increase my love for His word, increase my love for my fellow Christians, and let me experience the reality of his presence every day. Ephesians 3:20 tells me that God can meet me and change me and work me over in ways I never could have dreamed!

Given the power of prayer, my prayer lists should be inspired, bold, and imaginative. And I should approach my prayer with eager expectancy. I should expect God to blow away my expectations! I should expect God to give more than I ask.

I should expect God to surprise me.

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Источник: //theblazingcenter.com/2018/11/power-of-prayer.html

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