Sometimes it's hard to grasp prayer, and the power behind it. It is also a difficult thing to even know where to begin our prayer life, depending on situations you may be facing. We are fortunate enough to see a million different scenarios of servants of God who continued to go to the Lord in prayer and praise His name, lamented to God, and simply just cried out to Him. The best part is that God is listening. In Romans 8:26, we read that the Holy Spirit intercedes and prayers what are hearts are yearning for when our mouths cannot speak it. How wonderful is that? Let's look at a couple of application steps we can use when understanding prayer, our responsibility, and God's power.
1) Our concerns are tiny compared to God's power.
When you feel that there is "too much" to pray for, or you feel absolutely stuck, lost in sin, with nowhere to go, it's not "too much" for God. He can handle it. God knows how, when, where, and why he will handle it. "Ask and you shall receive" is what the scriptures says, so don't worry about feeling like you are burden, believe me - I've been there, He already took all of those fears, sins, and shames away on the cross.
2) Repentance is necessary.
Check out what Acts 2:38 and Romans 6:1-2 say below. We are sinners in a sinful world, and there's nothing we can do to get rid of sin and become perfect like Jesus - He is the only perfect man. Repentance is how we can pursue our faith when we recognize that God is just and righteous, and we fear and love him in order to humble ourselves. If He is the Almighty King who serves justice and mercy, He is worthy of asking for forgiveness and making ourselves less.
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6:1-2)
3) Pray with full faith.
James 1:6 says "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind." If we pray to our Lord and Savior, as the Lord and Savior that He is, we should have complete faith that whatever we are praying for or about God is working and moving through it. God is answering your prayers even before you speak them, and we need to always have that strong of faith. Even if He answers at a later time or in a way you never would've imagined, continue to keep the faith that all things He does is right and pure and good. Pray understanding this, and your prayer life could blossom immensely.
The Father is our Lord, holy and righteous, never changing or confused. It is an honor and reverent to go to Him in prayer. LOVE this aspect of His grace, soak it in and pray knowing who you are praying to. It's a beautiful way to connect with our Creator, and nothing is too much for Him. He knows exactly how and when to answer your prayers, and makes sure to take care of His people. Have faith, and come to him humbly in prayer.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
