As I abide in Christ and live the reality that I can do nothing without him, I realize that my prayer time can be the most effective tool I have for spreading the gospel and doing the work of the Lord.
During my quiet time, I went to the Lord because I was struggling with issues of anger and resentment. I was having some relationship conflicts and needed help resolving them. They had begun as irritations and quickly evolved into resentment and bitterness, allowing me to think angry thoughts about my offender throughout the day.
This was hindering my relationship with God, as well as my ability to live the free life Christ had for me. But when I went to the Lord, expecting a response, I received nothing. It felt as if I had radio silence, like God wasn't answering my prayers, because he couldn't (or wouldn’t) hear them.
But as I read the Word, I realized there are certain times when God chooses not to hear our prayers. Although Jesus' death on the cross covered all the sins we ever will commit or have committed in the past, there are times when God chooses not to answer our prayers. If discovered that if I wanted to cultivate an abundant prayer life, I needed to make some changes in my soul.
Here's how I learned to make my prayers more effective:
1. I Got Rid of Sin
Whenever I feel distant from God, the first thing I do is conduct a soul check. I check to see if any unconfessed sins from the past are preventing me from having an abundant life in Christ. Often, I have sins that I need to address.
Then I openly confess my sin, ask for forgiveness, and repent from those behaviors. It is easy in today's day and age, where there's little to no accountability within the church body, to let sins slide, not even realizing that they're truly sins. For example, gossiping about a friend with another friend is sin.
However, because it runs so rampant, it's easy to forget and never repent. When my anger becomes too difficult to bear, I realize that I have been living with it for quite some time. I need to be more aware that as soon as I feel that anger, I need to address it so it doesn't become a stronghold.
The more anger I let slide, the bigger the issue becomes. I get to the point where I feel the anger almost consuming me. Because of Jesus' death on the cross, I have the power to rebuke sin. I need to do this more often if I want to have an effective prayer life.
2. I Processed My Wounds
After all these things are confessed and repented of, I then need to process any wounds that others have caused. It can be a simple offense, such as failing to follow through on a promise, or it can be more severe. These issues can also deter me from talking to God about anything. I must bring all those wounds to God and ask him to help me forgive those who have wronged me. In the same way that I need to ask God for His forgiveness, I also need to forgive others who have wronged me. Sometimes that's harder to do, given the nature of the offense. However, it is essential for me to regularly process the wounds that have hurt me so I can move forward in freedom.
3. I Accepted His Grace
Often, I forget that Jesus's work on the cross was final. There's nothing I can do or ever will do that will enable me to perform in a way that earns God's approval. Growing up in a household where work was valued over love and acceptance has deeply impacted me. It is difficult for me to believe that I don't have to do anything to earn God's love. However, when I read my Bible, participate in spiritual disciplines, and perform religious works, I can sometimes deceive myself into thinking that I can earn God's approval through my efforts.
However, I can choose to live in the grace Christ's death gave me and stop striving. When I do this, I'm one step closer to living in the reality that I'm God's child, He loves me, and He accepts me just as I am.
4. I Forsook My Authority
Luke 10:19 says it best when it says, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” I have the power to do so much more than I ever thought possible. However, I forget about the God whom I serve. I forget that he is all-powerful and that there is no situation where he is not in total control. When the world becomes tumultuous, it is difficult not to focus on the bad things or things I cannot control.
However, I need to trust in Jesus and know that He is in authority over everything. His will will be accomplished, regardless of how much I try to control it or ensure that positive outcomes occur. In the same way, I can also pray as if I have that authority. Jesus gave me that authority before he left this earth. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I can perform miracles in his name. However, the Holy Spirit must be present, and I must call upon him for His help. As I abide in Christ and live the reality that I can do nothing without him, I realize that my prayer time can be the most effective tool I have for spreading the gospel and doing the work of the Lord.
5. I Prayed Sporadically
We can pray at anytime and anywhere. We can pray in our bedroom at night before we go to sleep, and we can also pray in the morning when we first wake up. We can pray in the shower, at work, or even during our commute. God doesn't care where we are. We do not need to set a specific time or date to pray to him. Although it is important for us to sit in silence and practice solitude, an effective prayer life doesn't always follow one strict schedule. I can speak wherever God chooses.
Even in the hustle and bustle of the day, God can speak to our souls in ways that we never thought possible. This is the power of our God, and I need to remember that as I pray without ceasing. Then, I will achieve a more intimate relationship with him, and I will find more of my prayers answered.
6. I Took It Slow
In the hustle and bustle of the day, I sometimes forget to pray. Although His grace covers my forgetfulness, it is essential that I set aside time to pray. It is impossible to have an effective prayer life when prayer is squeezed into an already over-packed schedule. When I pray when I'm tired, for example, I find myself falling asleep or not putting my whole heart into my prayers. However, when I make it the focus of my day, even if it's just for a few minutes, it helps me to focus and surrender the day to Him. I need to slow down and know that everything will get accomplished in its time.
Prayer is not only a great way for me to achieve intimacy with God, but it is also the most potent tool I have to help others and to make a difference in the world. When I choose to follow the suggestions above, not only do I find myself closer to God, but I also discover that he answers more prayers than I realize.
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