How does one pray?
What does it look like?
Does God hear my prayers, let alone answer them?
It just feels like a waste of time.
If you have ever thought or said one of these? Rest assured you are not alone, not even close.
I’ve gone through seasons where I think I am doing pretty good in my prayer life. I can usually tell because I walk around with a greater sense of peace and joy. The things that would usually make me anxious or fearful don’t seem to carry much weight during those times. Whether or not the particular circumstances of the season are good or not so great, I believe that I find rest for my soul through prayer.
More often than everything mentioned in the previous paragraph, I seem to find myself focusing less on prayer and more so on what I can be doing to bring about peace and joy in my life. And although I frequently think so, my ways aren’t so great. They usually lead me to a place where it feels like I’m lost at sea in the middle of a storm with no sense of direction. I end up worried and without hope of finding my way.
Whatever the case may be, I don’t have all the answers. But I do have a couple suggestions.
Over the past few years I have received an abundance of encouragement from reading and listening to stories of the faithful who have gone before us. Below, I have listed and linked a couple of my favorites.
Release The Power of Prayer by George Muller
Rees Howells: Intercessor by Norman Grubb
These two books are filled with story after story of God’s faithfulness and goodness in hearing and answering the prayers of those who would submit and trust in Him for all their needs. They have and continue to challenge me at my core.
You and I were made for more than a life of comfort and settling. May you be both deeply challenged and greatly encouraged.
