BrendaHubbard

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ” Philippians 4:6 New International Version. 
How many times have you seen or read that scripture? If you have never read it, read it again but in slow motion. Let’s break this down: 

Do not be anxious about anything: do not worry, do not stress, do not overthink or overanalyze that situation. Think about it. Is there a solution? Let’s break down at least three solutions on paper and action steps to move forward with solutions. If there is no solution, then what will it do to sit and dwell on it? How will that affect your mood? How about your day? Is it adding or subtracting years to your life? Is it worth it? It is easier said than done, but when practiced, it makes sense. 

But in every situation, meaning in all circumstances, no matter what is happening around you or wherever you are, especially when things are going well. 

By prayer and petition: meaning while talking to God, continue requesting.

With thanksgiving, present your requests to God, meaning with a humble, surrendered, and grateful heart. Ask God for the desires of your heart. 

What is prayer:

Joyce Meyer’s book Habits of a Godly Woman explains it this way: Prayer is a direct communication with God, and like Him, authentic prayer is not bound by religious traditions or regulations. Prayer does not have to happen in a particular place or at a specific time; it can happen anywhere, anytime. It does not have to follow any rules. It simply comes from the heart, and when you pray, nothing that concerns you is off-limits. Knowing that I can speak to my Heavenly Father and that there are no limits and no script needed, just my sincere, open heart, and that He hears me, is so comforting. I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! Isaiah 65:24 New Living Translation.  

Why pray:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 New International Version.
As the loving Father that He is, our God tells us to go to Him and ask, and He will grant us the desires of our hearts. If it is His will for us to receive what we are petitioning for, then it will be done on His timing, not ours. He knows what we can handle and overcome based on the season we are navigating. 

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7, New International Version. Carrying our worries and daily struggles shows we have not fully trusted God. When we sin, we tend to condemn ourselves into thinking that God doesn’t care. But when we turn to God and repent, He will lift the weight that pulls us down. Remember, let’s not submit to our circumstances but to the Lord, who controls all circumstances. 

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always pray for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Ephesians 6:18-20 New International Version.
Wow, what a powerful scripture! In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul tells us always to pray, not just with words we can understand but also in the Spirit. We should also remember to pray for everyone else. 

In the book Fight Back by Vladimir Savchuk, he states: Prayerful Christians are Powerful Christians. Prayerless Christians are Powerless Christians. Prayer is a must because of the spiritual warfare in the unseen spiritual realm. Do not treat prayer as your last resort but as the first response to every challenge that comes your way. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8,9 New International Version.
Let’s re-read this paragraph slowly to process and allow every word to plant itself in our hearts. 

“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:9-11 New International Version. 
This verse is exciting to read because it reminds us that God is willing to bless us with the desires of our hearts—gifts that can be better than what we’ve asked for or imagined. He mentions that if we who are born sinners and have wicked ways know how to give good gifts, how much more would a loving, mighty, perfect Father be able to provide us with? 

How to pray: 

First, let’s clear the air: No one knows how to pray. Praying is like learning to talk; we are not born talkers. We get better at it with practice until one day, we have a dialogue with someone, and they respond with another dialogue. Understanding and growing a relationship with someone comes from constant communication. In the same way, prayer is talking to our Heavenly Father, who knows everything about you, yet He wants you to speak to him throughout the day and wherever you are. “Abba, Father,” he said, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:36 New International Version.

An excellent method to remember is the TACOS’S way to pray:

T-Thanksgiving: thank God, begin speaking about what you’re grateful for, and thank him for anything specifically. 

A-Adoration: talk about the love, respect, and honor to God.

C-Confession: admit to anything one is guilty of doing. 

O-Others: pray for other people or places. 

S-Supplication: humbly asking or begging for something in particular.

S-Silence: be quiet and listen. 

Here are some examples of praying:

-Father, thank you for waking me up today. 

-Lord, help me make wise decisions as I am conflicted about this situation. 

-Heavenly Father, guide me. 

-Father, I don’t understand what is happening, but I trust you. 

-Wow, thank you, Lord, that was all you. 

-Lord, you said in your word that you will never leave me nor forsake me!? 

-Father God, I NEED YOU! Help me endure and overcome! 

-God, I’m mad! I’m disappointed, but I don’t want to be this way. Help me!? 

Prayer is not just a duty; it’s a source of joy and fulfillment. It’s a natural conversation with God; sometimes, He speaks to us through his still whisper, song lyrics, books, a person, and the Bible; the possibilities are endless. Don’t give up on prayer because you’re not hearing from Him immediately. There are moments when God has already told us what to do. That gut check or that decision you’re avoiding might be your answer. The more you call on him in prayer and petition, the more precise you will hear from Him and know what direction to take. 

Setting time aside early in the morning before starting the day sets the foundation for the day, and it shows God that He is first. The time is up to your schedule, but consistency in this area is critical. Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went to a solitary place where he prayed. Mark 1:35 New International Version.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:6 New International Version. Prayers are the life of our spiritual walk. Setting intentional prayer time is essential, but do not neglect the daily on-the-go prayers. 

How often: 

Prayer is food for our souls and is a must for believers and followers of Jesus Christ. Just like we need food to maintain our bodies, we need prayer to prevent our souls from making sinful decisions. We usually eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at least three times a day to keep our bodies running. In the same way, praying at least three times a day is a bare minimum to maintain ourselves spiritually. But the word of God says to do it even more than that: 

Always be joyful, Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. The book of Romans Chapter twelve verse twelve reminds us to Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 

What do we do after God answers our prayer: 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever Psalms 118:1 New Living Translation. Remembering who answered your prayer by giving Him all honor and glory for being so good is the first thing to do, even if it is the most simple prayer, like having running water. Thank God for it because He made a way. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17 New Living Translation. 

Daily prayer life and growing in God’s word give you the tools to fight back when life circumstances knock at your door. They don’t make the problems disappear but teach you how to fight when issues appear. A continual refill of God’s word helps us have continual victory in our spiritual lives, taking us from being spiritually malnourished to being spiritually well-nourished. And this is only the tip of the iceberg. 

In closing: 

Heavenly Father, I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory! Psalms 118:21 New Living Translation. You are my God, and I will praise you! You are my God, and I will exalt you! Psalms 118:28 New Living Translation. Father, touch my fellow brother or sister on the other side of this screen with a desire and a curiosity to learn and grow in you and discover through you what living a prayerful life looks like. I pray this blog has planted seeds that point to you and only you. I thank you for your continual guidance and for using me as a servant called to deliver a message. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.