There is a fine line between being totally surrendered to God and letting lazily go. I always struggle when a person tells me that they don’t need to plan anything ahead because God will guide them. Don’t get me wrong. I truly believe in God’s guidance. I truly believe in surrendering to God. I truly believe in doing God’s will. But…

Faith does not mean letting the world decide for us. We need to be purposeful. We are on our way home to God. Meanwhile God has big plans for each of us.

Faith does not mean not having goals and dreams. God himself puts those in our hearts and minds when we walk with Him.

Faith does not mean inactivity. Even when we are waiting for God’s timing, we are not to be inactive. No, I don’t mean busywork. I mean serious prayer.

When we pray, we practice joy.
When we pray, we are close to God.
When we pray, we are part of God’s mission.

Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. (1 Tim. 2:8, MSG)

We too easily forget that prayer is a power tool. We are not helpless. We have a way to reach God and he loves to hear from us. God loves to be part of our lives. God loves to guide us. God loves to make impossible possible.

God is powerful and we have been given a power tool in prayer. Why don’t we then pray more? If prayer is at the bottom of all mission, why don’t we pray boldly and fervently?

I do pray. A lot. But I am guilty of unspecific prayers. I bless this and that. I ask guidance in general. I bring certain people to God. But I realize my prayers are not specific enough, bold enough.

Just read what Paul is asking here the Thessalonian Christians to do. To pray, of course. But then he goes on and asks them to pray specifically about certain things:

One more thing, friends: Pray for us. Pray that the Master’s Word will simply take off and race through the country to a ground-swell of response, just as it did among you. And pray that we’ll be rescued from these scoundrels who are trying to do us in. I’m finding that not all “believers” are believers. But the Master never lets us down. He’ll stick by you and protect you from evil. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3, MSG)

When I read this passage I felt God was telling me to be more specific in my prayers. We need to note that we are not to give God orders. We are to pray according to God’s will. But we need to start  praying specifically, boldly, and fervently.

The Holy Spirit will guide us when we pray. We need to keep praying even when it looks impossible. A preparation phase can last years and years. God’s will will happen in God’s time and it is our privilege to be part of his mission. Hence we need to keep on praying no matter how we feel.

By praying we invite God’s power into our problems, into our joys and sorrows, into our lives. By praying we give God permission to change our lives inside out. By praying we are living in the kingdom of God already here and now. By praying we are part of God’s salvation plans here on this green earth.

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for drawing us closer to you.
Thank you for welcoming bold prayers.
Thank you for inviting us to be part of your mission.
Thank you for wanting us to get involved in your work.
Teach us to pray
boldly,
effectively,
fervently,
specifically,
according to your will.
Come and change us inside out.
Make us your bold and passionate servants.
May your Word be set in fire in the hearts of us.
May your plans for each of us come true and
show us how to work towards your glory.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: How is your prayer life? Do you pray specific prayers?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you boldly claim your place in God’s plans by praying!

Giving thanks today for
#531 the power tool of prayer
#532 God desiring intimacy with us
#533 prayer-hearing God
#534 God teaching us to pray
#535 learning to pray more specifically
#536 learning to pray more boldly
#537 learning to pray according to God’s capabilities
#538 learning to leave my insecurities out of prayers
#539 learning to be active in faith even when waiting
#540 interceding for others is powerful
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Image courtesy of Michael Gross. Linking up today with Linking up today with What’s on Your Heart Tuesdays ,  Wordfilled Wednesday, All Things Heart & Home &  God-Bumps & God-Incidences.