As someone who struggles with prayer, I tend to repeat myself rather than spiritually connect with the Lord when I pray. The best way to compare my prayer life is to a scratch golfer who doesn’t have their A Game, but grinds out 18 holes to find a way to shoot par. What I decided to do beginning in college is to keep a prayer journal, writing out my requests to the Lord. Since I tend to forget what I prayed for last week, keeping a detailed record allows me to see if any of my prayers become reality.
Also when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward [d]in full already. 6 But when you pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open. 7 And when you pray, do not heap up phrases (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him, Matthew 6:5-8.
As a former coach and teacher, I learned early on that you can’t force someone to do exactly what you want. You can give directions, hints, and suggestions, but you have to let free will take its course. While I was a disciplinarian when my children were young, I’ve transitioned into a life coach by sharing my perspective when I was my kids age. However, as I listened to my son Daniel’s wedding last weekend, the words that I lifted up as prayers in my journal have come true.
Keep on asking and it will be given you; [f] keep on seeking and you will find; [g]keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened, Matthew 7:7-8.
Perhaps, as Daniel struggled to find a job after graduating in May, I was forced to intensify my prayers with specific requests. When days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, I kept on knocking as Jesus urges in the passage above. Although doubts did enter my mind, I never gave up hope. Subsequently, Daniel received a job from Liberty University and is committed to following God’s will for his life. Prayers can come true as well as long as you can knocking on God’s door in prayer.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 