Have you ever wondered if you are praying "wrong"?
Growing up in the church I often heard the phrase "Be careful what you pray for." People would say things like, "Oh you prayed for patience? Be careful, God will test you on that". What rubbish! Do people honestly think that God works that way? No wonder non-Christians have issues with faith.
Let me say something that has been on my heart for YEARS. God is not in the business of tricking us! We should not be afraid that if we pray "incorrectly" that God will throw us to the wolves to "test" what we prayed for. I don't know about you, but I don't pray for things if I don't need help with them. I don't pray for wisdom is I feel that I know the answer (which is a whole other issue in and of itself). I don't pray for patience if I don't struggle with it already. When we ask God for something it is because we are already in need. God is not out to get us. God is just waiting to give us the answer to our prayers. Does that mean that it's always what we ask for or expect? No way! But it is ALWAYS what we NEED.
How about, instead of worrying that we are "praying wrong" we just pray? Speak to God. What a privilege!!! What an honor to be able to converse with God and have him not only listen but respond with just what we need. I have been more changed by my time in prayer than any other experience in my life. God is truly there for me. Not to trick me or mess with me, but to lavish his loving goodness on me, in whatever form will be best. I think when we don't get what we ask for, or continue to struggle with something that we have prayed about, we make an assumption that God is "testing" us. Have faith! God is giving you what you need. God will supply ALL your needs. God has answered EVERY prayer I have ever prayed. If you don't believe me, just try writing out your prayer list, pray for that list everyday and date the day that God answers. You will see. He will answer. Every time. That is the power of prayer!
Growing up in the church I often heard the phrase "Be careful what you pray for." People would say things like, "Oh you prayed for patience? Be careful, God will test you on that". What rubbish! Do people honestly think that God works that way? No wonder non-Christians have issues with faith.
Let me say something that has been on my heart for YEARS. God is not in the business of tricking us! We should not be afraid that if we pray "incorrectly" that God will throw us to the wolves to "test" what we prayed for. I don't know about you, but I don't pray for things if I don't need help with them. I don't pray for wisdom is I feel that I know the answer (which is a whole other issue in and of itself). I don't pray for patience if I don't struggle with it already. When we ask God for something it is because we are already in need. God is not out to get us. God is just waiting to give us the answer to our prayers. Does that mean that it's always what we ask for or expect? No way! But it is ALWAYS what we NEED.
How about, instead of worrying that we are "praying wrong" we just pray? Speak to God. What a privilege!!! What an honor to be able to converse with God and have him not only listen but respond with just what we need. I have been more changed by my time in prayer than any other experience in my life. God is truly there for me. Not to trick me or mess with me, but to lavish his loving goodness on me, in whatever form will be best. I think when we don't get what we ask for, or continue to struggle with something that we have prayed about, we make an assumption that God is "testing" us. Have faith! God is giving you what you need. God will supply ALL your needs. God has answered EVERY prayer I have ever prayed. If you don't believe me, just try writing out your prayer list, pray for that list everyday and date the day that God answers. You will see. He will answer. Every time. That is the power of prayer!
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