February 5th

When You Don’t Know What to Pray

It says in 1 Thessalonians 5: 17 (message Bible) that we should “be cheerful no matter what; pray ALL THE TIME; thank God no matter what happens.

If we are supposed to pray all the time, what in the world are we supposed to pray about?  It is very easy to pray for something we need….”please help me remember what I am studying”, “please help me feel better”, “please let me play well today”….etc.  And it is easy to pray for other people – especially if you think they need a “touch” from God J.  “Lord please change their attitude and let them see I am right.”

Well, hopefully you don’t need to pray those kinds of prayers ALL THE TIME.  I have always struggled with what to pray until last summer when I went to a Bible study and the teacher gave some fantastic advice on how to pray effective prayers over your life and even prayers for other people.  The answer is very simple – use the Bible.

When you read the Word and find a verse that applies to you in any way, turn it into a prayer.  I find this much easier to do by writing it down.  That way you can use that same prayer over and over until you either add to it or replace it with another part of the Bible.  This is MUCH easier than it sounds, so let me give you an example. 

I really did just choose random verses from my journal, so it may not be the best verse, but here goes:   1 Chronicles 22: 11-13

And may God also give you discernment and understanding when he puts you in charge of Israel so that you will rule in reverent obedience under God’s revelation.  That’s what will make you successful, following the directions and doing the things that God commanded.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, I really need success in my life just like the success you promised David in 1 Chronicles 22.  Help your Word to reach my heart and grow my ability to discern right from wrong and give me a deeper understanding of your will for my life.  Make your directions clear to me God and give me the ability and courage to follow them each and every day.  I want to be obedient to you in all my decisions for the things I am in charge of.  Thank you God for your direction in my life, but I ask that you make it clear to me – let me know when I am not following the right path. 

That’s it!  So this, I am giving you two assignments.  Sorry – I miss homeschooling you so you will just have to bear with me. 

ONE – respond to this blog today and tell me what you think.

TWO – Spend some time in the Word – share a verse with us that you can turn into a prayer.  You don’t have to post your prayer, but if you could just share the verse you are turning into a prayer, that would be great!