Barto's Basics

My prayer life has been a journey – in some seasons of life I didn’t pray at all, in others prayer has been my lifeline and in others, all of my prayers have been for others.

At times my prayers have been selfish. As in “Dear God, please give me exactly what I want. That would be great. Amen”.

While I’m much more mature in my faith these days, I’ll admit that sometimes those selfish prayers creep into my heart and out of my mouth.

One of my go-to prayers is “Dear God, please change so and so because they are a hot mess. Amen.” – anyone married here and prayed that about their spouse? Or a co-worker? Or family member?

I’m thankful for my friends who hold me accountable and remind me that is the wrong prayer.

Often times we stumble upon prayer as if God is sitting there waiting for us to tell Him what to do.

(pauses to laugh…)

He’s not waiting for our direction. I assure you that. He is waiting for us to come to Him with thanksgiving, repentance and to submit our requests for those things that are in line with HIS WILL.

A.K.A God is in control. His will be done. Not mine or yours.

(pauses to let that sink in…)

Prayer is the act of asking – it is also the act of silence, patience and trust.

If you’re praying with the expectation God will do what you want, you’re going to find yourself trying to accept a lot of unanswered prayers. And that will be really frustrating. I’ve been there.

Our pastor shared this scripture with us recently and it’s too good not to share:

“I keep asking that you, God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious father, may give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know you better. I pray that the eyes of my heart be enlightened in order that I may know that hope to which you have called me, the riches of your glorious inheritance in the hold people, and your incomparably great power for me, who believes” Ephesians 1:17-18.

THIS is the prayer!

Ask God to work on your heart.

To flood it with love.

To fill your mind with truth.

To grow your faith with hope.

To direct you to what He has planned for you.

Wait for it…

To surrender!

For me, no matter who or what I am petitioning for, prayer is about surrendering to God’s will.