Let's Make Prayer Normal
- Cassidy Hallow
- Feb 6, 2019
- 3 min read
Many times we think that #prayer has to be this big moment over a loud speaker. It can seem that way if we don't pray often.
This picture was taken fall of 2017, a few months after I had an encounter with God, repented (to change one's mind), and started following Jesus. I had just signed up for my first missions trip to Lima, Peru. I was believing God to provide a way for me to go to another nation to share the gospel; a news so good I HAVE to share it! The entire trip was bout $2,400 and I knew I was going to have to start fundraising soon in order to make my goal by the spring.
Before this point in time, I hadn't prayed very much. I would shoot a few hail Marys and hope for the best. I felt like I didn't have much power and my prayers would disappear right after I would say them.
As I started reading scripture to get to know God and his character, I realized that what I had believed about prayer at the time was not true.
God hears your prayers. In fact, the Bible says that God's ear in inclined to us when we call on him (Psalms 116:2).
Like a conversation, it takes two to pray. Not only does God hear our prayers, but he responds. You ever see those little kids that ask their parents something over and over again without giving the parent a chance to respond? Sometimes, we're like that with God. We keep asking him things repeatedly, but we aren't giving him a chance to respond. We pray, close up shop, and move on with our day. Next time you pray, sit and #wait. Give God a chance to speak to you. God already knows what we need before we even ask him (Matthew 6:8).
Everyone can pray. Before Jesus, there was no direct communication with God. Sin (crossing a boundary God has placed), used to separate us from God's presence. The #goodnews is, Jesus died on the cross as an atonement (payment) for our sins so that we could be in God's presence. Now, we can know and have a relationship creator of the universe. This direct #access is something you cannot work for. Like a gift, you can only accept this good news. You don't have to have any accolades, be a priest, or have any schooling to be able to communicate with God. It is simply a #gift (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Practically speaking, how do I pray?
Prayer does not have to be rehearsed or scripted. Often my prayers to Jesus sound like I'm speaking to someone right next to me. There are times when I am more casual about it, and pray in my car. There are times when I am sitting in my room, with my journal, writing down what God is speaking to me. There are also times when I pray with a group of people who are all believing for the same thing.
For me, personally, the more I pray and communicate with God, the less anxious I am about life. When I pray, I become more dependent and #expectant of God to move in my life. In turn, I am able to relinquish control, and give it to the one who is sovereign (Deuteronomy 4:39).
The more I pray, the more I am able to see God move around me.
Going back to the picture above --- this was the first time I was truly believing God to provide for something. There was simply no other way I was going on this missions trip, unless God provided a way. I had started praying for the trip before I signed up. I wanted to make sure this was somewhere God was sending me. So, I signed up for the trip and started praying. One week later, I was fully funded and had enough funds to share with my team! Not only did God provide for me, but for those around me. This is just one #testimony of the power of prayer and how faithful God is!!
The best way to figure it out how you like to pray is just to start! Start praying daily for something (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and see the change in your life. The more you pray, the more normal it becomes. Let's make praying and hearing from God a regular thing! He just wants to know us more.
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