Lemons to Lemonade: Tool #3 to Equip You for Battle: Pray Like You Mean It
In HopeforHardPlaces, I have written on various personal struggles both present and past: having a son with special needs, struggles with parenting, dealing with apathy and the effects of divorce. The past several years I’ve had the privilege of wading through some very rough waters with many different people. It is a wonderful privilege to do so as we experience the beauty of 2Corinthians 1:4 (NLT) lived out. “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” I have gained much insight from observing the different ways people choose to navigate through their difficulties. Most of us could benefit from using a wider assortment of weaponry in which to fight our battles.
This week I’m giving you your third tool (probably the most powerful ammunition you could ever stock up on) to help you fight your way through your hard places.
This ammo is PRAYER. Pray like you mean it!
.Get on your knees. Allow the heaviness of your situation to weigh you down to the most powerful posture you can find yourself in… humbly on your knees. Lift up your hands and offer up your struggles. This position of prayer will remind you that apart from God, you are ultimately powerless. From this place the real battle has just begun.
Ask God what He thinks you need. You do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2 Have you truly brought all your concerns to the Lord in prayer?
Get out your sword. Write scripture out on 3 x 5 cards that speak to your situation, verses such as Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” or Romans 8:31, “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” I Start fighting back by speaking God’s words of authority over the enemy.
SOS to others. God never intended for us to go through our battles alone. Make a phone call or send out a text when your going gets particularly rough. Hey friends, I’m struggling right now. Would you please pray for me? I once was hesitant to do this. Do I really want people to know how needy I am? Yet I cannot express to you the comfort which comes as friends respond to an SOS text with written prayers, Bible verses, or a “praying now” message.
Find a prayer partner. Ask someone if he or she would be willing to meet with you each week for 30 minutes (in person or on the phone) to pray for one another. (God can help you think of who to ask.) This does not have to be a close friend, just someone you respect and you feel can be trusted to keep your requests confidential. This is a time of mutual sharing/praying which will help you not to be focused on only your own problems. Yes you are making yourself vulnerable, but the benefits, I promise, will out way the risk.
Remember you have a wise advocate. “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words” Romans 8:26 NLT. How comforting is this to realize the Holy Spirit knows how to pray for us even when we don’t?
Pray with an eager anticipation that God will answer. We are to ask in faith with our whole heart’s desire. Don’t hold back.
Know where your strength comes from. “I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant, their faces are never covered in shame” Psalm 34:4-5.
We have each been given an invitation to take ALL our concerns and worries directly to our Heavenly Father who knows us and loves us more than we can ever imagine. What a gift! Your assignment this week (if you choose to take it) is to prayerfully read back over the above list of prayer suggestions and decide which three you will implement TODAY. Also check back to Tool #1 and #2 from the previous two blogs (November 14 and 20) and be sure you have added these to your line of defense.