Satan greatest desire is to destroy our marriages and the foundations of our family. He is thrilled whenever our emotions take over and make praying difficult. He is delighted when there is sin in our life and praying becomes near impossible. For the sake of our families, and our homes we must push through it and we must pray. I heard on a Focus on the Family last week that only 1/10 of 1% of couples who pray every day will find themselves divorced. That's an astonishingly low number compared to 50% otherwise. Prayer is that important to our families.
God is Holy and pure, if there is sin in our life we need to surrender it to God before He can hear our hearts. (If you're not sure how to do this read My Testimony) Sometimes however even if our hearts are clean prayer may be difficult. Satan would love for us just to give up and quit, because prayer is powerful and prayer changes things, he certainly doesn't want us pushing through any awkwardness.
Whenever I find my heart too burdened to pray I do one of two things I pray Scriptures, or I pray pre-written prayers that can be found in hymnals, in doctrine books, or even online. It may feel forced at first but God can certainly work through the words of others. In my opinion it is particularly powerful to pray the Word of God, back to God. There's no question what you're praying is in His will because it's in His scriptures.
As a Christan it's a blessing to know that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf in all our prayers, especially when our heart is troubled. The following is a prayer based on the first few verses in the book of James, you can take literally any portion of scripture and turn it into a prayer, just change the words so it's personal.
Lord help me count the trials in my life as pure joy. Give me peace in the fact that the trying of my faith will produce patience. Let patience have her perfect work in me. Lord grant me wisdom, let me not waver in faith. I know if I ask you will grant me wisdom liberally. Help my faith not waver. Help me in these trials.
Blessings
Kasey
Will you learn along with me? Let's encourage one another.
What a beautiful post! I needed this, this week!!! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI have recently been trying to pray one of the Psalms each morning. I am really enjoying this practice as I usually finish each prayer with my heart encouraged and my faith strengthened.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day!
Love this post! Thanks for the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteMy week has been a little down too, I'm recovering from an infection. I wrote this as much for myself as anyone else : )
ReplyDeleteThis is the second post about prayer I've read in as many days. My husband and I are going through difficult circumstances right now, and it's been hard for me to remember to pray, instead of worrying. After all, prayer works, and worry doesn't! Thanks for posting about this today!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! Thank you. I found you on Raising Homemakers and am now following you. :) I hope you'll check out my blog too. I post recipes, photography and feature a different Christian artist each week. Have a great day! Jan http://www.jewelry4change.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteWhen I have had times that I could not pray I would sit down and write a letter to the Lord.
ReplyDeleteIt has helped me down through the years to be able to express on paper when I could not verbally express. The Lord reads our hearts and our letters, too. Have a blessed day.
What a fabulous share, Kasey, just beautiful. Thank you for sharing ...
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful week ~
TTFN ~
Marydon
Sometimes when we need to pray the most is the time when it is the hardest to do. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this and giving some tips on how to overcome.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Charlotte
Hi Kasey,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing such a timely and encouraging post on prayer. I have found myself struggling at times to pray, but I have also seen the benefit of praying the scriptures when my own words fail me.
Blessings and peace.
MTJ
Prayer is so powerful, which is why Satan makes it so difficult for us. I have to pray out loud and pace the floor in order to stay focused when praying.
ReplyDeletePray is like the untapped potential in most marriages, and I agree that praying actual Scripture is so powerful. I'm comforted to know that Jesus is my Intercessor and that Spirit is helping when I don't know what to pray. This past week I heard a testimony of a couple who faithfully prays together, and they said praying is the most intimate thing that we can do together. I agree! Thanks for sharing this as part of Marriage Mondays,
ReplyDeleteJulie