Prayer Work

 

    Prayer can be hard work, but that doesn't mean that we need to give up on praying.  Prayer sometimes requires sacrifice.  Some prayer requires fasting to accompany it.  When something or someone seems to weigh on your soul and it feels like God is not answering your prayers, then it may be time to fast for a set period to draw closer to God.

    Jesus prayed before he selected his 12 apostles.  He prayed all day and all night sacrificing comfort and sleep.  Hours before he faced his mock trials before being sacrificed himself, he prayed so intensely that he sweated blood drops.  He was devoted to prayer.  His entire life was a sacrifice.  What can we learn from Jesus' prayer life?  We can learn how to devote our life to prayer.  This means we stay alert and keep our hearts thankful.

    Prayer can take work when life gets frustrating or discouraging.  That is probably because God commanded us not to be discouraged or afraid.  Frustration can be a sign that you don't trust God.  The more you fight Him, the harder it is to pray.  However, life is hard, so we do get frustrated and discouraged at times.  That is when we have to work at our prayer life, so we can get back on track with God.

    When you feel unheard, it is easy to feel anxiety.  When life is hard it is easy to complain.  You can cry because you hurt.  Life can drain all your energy to the point where you get so tired you can't even sleep at night.  This makes praying hard.  This is when you have to lean into prayer, so you can let go and give all your burdens to God.  When you do that, you will find rest and peace.

    God hears prayers, but He is sovereign.  He has a purpose will direct how He answers prayers.  It can take work to pray to get your attitude aligned with God's way of doing things.  Pray that you can accept His will and understanding of His perfect ways.  Realize He is working through your weaknesses to refine you and help other people at the same time.

    It is okay to pray to have hardship, burdens, and pain removed.  You can pray for it repeatedly, but if God does not deliver you from it, then you need to accept that it is a part of your life for a time or life.  That is hard to accept, but once you do then perspectives can change.  

    It is hard to hear no when you really want something.  If God's reply to your prayer is no, then turn to His grace and power to accept that it is for your benefit that He said no.  Do not give up on prayer all together.  Jesus even asked that his hour of suffering may pass him.  He knew the answer would be no before he asked, but he still needed to ask.  He accepted it and stayed obedient to honor God.

Psalm 13, 22:1-2, Mark 14:35-36, Luke 6:12-16, 22:41-44, 2 Corinthians 12: 5-10, & Colossians 4:2-6