Have you been tempted to stop praying? I have, but I've learned WHY God wants me to continue praying. And it's motivated me to keep praying on and on, even for years.
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12 NIV
The Bible clearly tells us to be faithful in prayer. Meaning, to do it day after day after day. But if God already knows the answer, why does he call us to do this?
God wants us to persist in prayer. My pastor says that for reasons we cannot fully understand, God chooses to act within his sovereignty to do certain things using our prayers. I have seen this mystery to hold true. So, all our asking, seeking and knocking (Matt. 7:7-12) really does matter in the heavenly realm.
Yet God has another reason for wanting us to be faithful in prayer. I can speak to this from my own experience. The act of faithful prayer changes MY thoughts and attitudes more than it changes the situation. Faithful prayer shapes me to be more like Christ.
In my own years and years of praying for the same things, God has shaped my character. Through faithful prayer, I've become more patient, compassionate, kind, loving, hopeful and joyful. I can see a big difference in these areas compared when I started praying with impatience, hidden doubt and even grudges.
God has softened me through faithful prayer. He's helped me gain spiritual maturity through the process. That's why I'm not tempted to stop praying anymore. I know that God will work in me as I keep praying, and he'll also answer the prayers in his perfect timing. He'll do this for you too, friend!
Want more encouragement for your prayer life? Check out my recent video testimony HERE and my prayer posts collected on one convenient page HERE.
Finding Peace in God's Word
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