Faithfulness in Prayer

For sixteen years a woman prayed for her friend’s salvation. Last weekend her prayer was answered. I know because I was there. I simply asked, “Do you have a relationship with Jesus?” That question led to a conversation and now there’s a new believer in our town.

Always pray. Do not give up. God will be glorified.

We Pray to a Merciful Savior

Our God pardons sin and forgives transgression. He does not stay angry forever but delights to show mercy (from Micah 7:18).

Because of God's mercy, you don't have to carry the burden of guilt and shame. Confess your sin when you pray. 

Unending Compassion

Two blind men asked the Lord for mercy because they wanted to see. Jesus had compassion on them and healed them (from Matthew 20:33-34).

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He still answers prayer because He is a compassionate God who loves us.

Spend Time with Jesus

Jesus fed 4,000 men because they had been with Him for three days and had nothing to eat (from Matthew 15:32-38).

God takes care of people who spend time with Jesus. 

Pursue Sanctification

It is God's will that we be sanctified — separated from evil to God (from 1 Thessalonians 4:3).

To pray strategically, present yourself to God as a slave to righteousness. This will lead to your sanctification (from Romans 6:19).

Strategic Prayer

Discover what the Bible says about God’s desires. Then pray about what will cause His desires to be fulfilled.*

Jesus did that when he prayed, “Father, protect them by power of your name . . . so that they may be one . . . so that the world may believe” (from John 17:11-23).

*Adapted from Lee Brase, Praying From God’s Heart, p. 49.

Calm Confidence

I asked my friend, "Why are you so calm and confident?"

She said, "I know God is in control and I talk with Him about everything.”

Begin Your Day With Jesus

Here's how a woman who walked with the Lord Jesus in the land of Afghanistan began her days: On most mornings I rose just after dawn. I sat in my room with my coffee and breakfast, my Bible, songbook, and notebook and turned my attention to God. I worshiped. I read Scripture. I settled my heart into the heart of God and leaned into His rest. It was a good place to be. Morning after morning I found peace. This was the way to start the day, the way not only to live, but to flourish in Afghanistan.

After I had settled my heart into God, I turned my attention to the day before me. My workload was always beyond extreme, my to-do list too long. Most of those tasks pushed the edges of my abilities, requiring knowledge and wisdom I did not possess. I could not bear the weight alone. So I turned to God, believing He alone could guide me.

Each morning I took my notebook and wrote down the things I thought I had to do through the course of the day, the decisions I would have to make, and the situations I thought I would have to deal with. I prayed through each one and asked for God’s direction. I wrote down the things I thought He as telling me. That became my work list.

I prayed through the conversations I was having with people, the things they were challenging me with and my responses—sometimes appropriate, sometimes not. I listened hard to hear God’s voice. What did He have to say about situations I face? How would He have me react?

When it was time, I put my Bible, songbook, empty cup and plate away. I carried my notebook with me.*

*adapted from In the Land of the Blue Burqas by Kate McCord.

Greatness in Prayer

When we pray it is far more important to pray with the sense of the greatness of God than with a sense of the greatness of the problem. Evangeline Blood

Prayer as Conversation

Prayer to God can be as common as conversation with your friends.

The Lord would speak with Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend (Exodus 33:11).