I learned as a child that it was important to pray and talk to God. I followed the pattern of asking God to bless my meals, then praying for my family and a few needs before bedtime. Sunday School teachers and church leaders encouraged prayer and weekly added to my list of requests. As I grew older I memorized Bible verses that taught me the basics of talking to God.
It was not this nurture and teaching that really taught me how to pray. It was the hard knocks of life that put me in a position of being desperate before my Lord, Savior and Creator that brought growth and strength into that wonderful plan of communication with God.
Prayer was not a one-way process for me to beg God like crazy for all the things I wanted and for the things I needed Him to do. Through much struggle and a hit or miss hands on experience, I realized that there were many ways to pray and that prayer was to be an on going, all day or night process of communication.
Learning to listen to God for His will, plan, guidance and direction was something I did not hear as a child. Using the Word of God as the main tool for getting answers to my prayers did not occur to me either. Meditating on verses I read was for pastors and seminarians.
As trials came, I needed to pray and search for answers to the struggles and challenges that paralyzed me. It was not about praying harder and longer and stressing myself with the burdens. It was all about getting to know Jesus as my best friend so that He could walk with me through every step. It was about learning to abide in Him and in His Word for strength, wisdom and victory. It was about believing that every word of God is true, that He never fails and He always keeps His promises.
I have learned to pray many ways:
- Praise Him for what He has done and for what He will do.
- Adore Him for who He is.
- Thank Him for His blessings and strength through trials.
- Confess sins that I have committed or omitted. Ask Him to forgive me.
- Ask Him to supply needs and work His will in every situation.
- Find Bible verses that relate to needs, pray and believe God with all my heart.
- Pray the Lord’s prayer
Promises: Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you… He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 24
Partnering with God: Are you overwhelmed with troubles and needs? Keep praying. Never give up. Learn as much as you can about prayer and practice, practice, practice. Get to know Jesus through His Word. He is faithful.
Let me know your thoughts!
Partnering with God,
Elaine
You are such a wonderful role model of a “Prayer Warrior. I have learned so much from you. The most difficult was trying to understand why we would pray to the Lord and thank Him for the difficult times and bad things that come along in our life. I understand now that these trials and tribulations serve to strengthen us and have us depend on God alone. I’m still working on my prayer life but I have come a long way. Thank you and God bless you. You are a beautiful Christian woman that I have been blessed to know these many years.
Dear Barbara, Thanks for your kind words. Prayer is only one part of our journey in getting to know Jesus in an intimate way. Yes, trials and tribulations strengthen us and help us depend on God alone when we trust Him with our lives. Keep growing in your prayer life. The benefits are eternal.
Your site is wonderful Elaine! You are moving right along. Yes, the hard knocks of life can really help us to get to a place of deeply personal prayer. Thank you for taking your pain and triumph and encouraging us with your writing. I look forward to lots more!
Thanks Elise for taking time to read this. It is always hard while we are going through trials, but God is totally faithful and always in control. Thanks for your encouragement. God bless you.
Elaine, you are most encouraging in your prayer example, as you praise God until the answer comes.
Joan, Jesus says to follow His example and then to lead others to follow Him. Praise is one of the strongest prayer methods that gets me through each day. Thanks for reading my testimony and for commenting.
Elaine,
It is hard to believe that God used you, among others, to pray and witness for and to me almost 42 years ago! It was Dennis who prayed with me and the next day you and Lise came to my house and said you were going to teach me how to read the Bible, pray and witness to others. Your willingness to pray with Dale has been used by our gracious Lord to change so many lives. I saw Bob Boban a few years ago and he wrote me a letter last year about how he trusted Christ. We both reminisced about Tom Vernalleken trusting Christ-and we were so glad we witnessed to him, as he is now in heaven. I have and continue to use your example as a prayer warrior with so many and now with the high school kids I have the privilege to teach. Every time I see Vince Adessa playing piano (we go to the same church) I remember those times we prayed for him in the MAOC office. I tell folks-and I challenge my students-yes-in a public high school-to make lists and pray by name all the time for who God lays on their heart. I have had the privilege of attending two weddings of students who God laid on my heart and they trusted Christ after high school. I have used you as an example with my own children. You were one of the ones who taught me to expect God to answer and to expect great things from Him. Now, He has not always answered my prayers in the ways I wanted-honestly, I still have a hard time understanding why He took my wife so early without getting to see her children grow. But-as you know-His ways are not our ways. Your example as a prayer warrior-your vibrant witness that I still vividly recall before I trusted Christ, and your patient discipleship with so many, including me are still resonating with me and I am eternally grateful for our friendship. I know you wanted to attend a Christian college-but God had other ideas and I am so glad he did. Keep in touch and my love to Dennis.
Charlie
Thank you Charlie for your kind words. As I pray especially through lists, I too wonder how God is working behind the scenes orchestrating the results. God has done so much, yet I yearn for Him to do so much more. Well, we look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith who has all the pieces under His control. Thanks for your encouragement and keep praying.Have a blessed 2014
Elaine,
Thank you for your insight on prayer. You’ve helped me learn the importance of maintaining communication with God through prayer. Prayer changes things! If I’m going to pray, why worry? And if I’m going to worry, why pray?
In HIM<
Barbara
Barbara, We use the Word of God to teach us about prayer, then we exercise the methods we’ve learned and experience prayer with each other. I am grateful for prayer partners like you that help me to grow in my prayer life as well. Thanks for your comment.
Sweet Elaine, I am so thankful to have stumbled upon your site. I immediately felt peace when reading your home page. Thank you for being obedient and boldly declaring the things of God. We are all connected in this faith journey. Your site encouraged me today!
Thanks Lynnette for your kind words. Whatever journey the Lord has for us, He works behind the scenes orchestrating each moment better than we can imagine. It is a blessing that we are connected in this journey. May the Lord encourage you each day in your walk with Him.
Elaine, I don’t know if you realize the effect you have on others. You have helped me so much in my prayer life and my whole spiritual journey. Just watching how you handle difficult situations has given me so much encouragement. I know how you pray for each of us and for that I am truly grateful. May God bless this ministry and keep his loving arms around you always. I love you my friend. Joan
Thank you, Joan, for your kind words. It has been a long journey, learning to pray. Yes, my life is filled with constant challenges and big bumps in the road. I am desperate to connect with God and to have Him work in all my trials. Keep praying and trusting. I am so glad you are my friend and I consider it a privilege to pray for you. May God richly bless you and your family as you seek to serve Him.