TL2SB

You know what blows my mind? That God is so repelled by sin, yet He sent His Son to set us free and now that He has ascended we can be in constant communication with the Creator of the Universe! Prayer is usually a challenging and sometimes daunting privilege! Yes, that's right a privilege. Prayer, however, is so much more than a quick hello before bed or an "in case of emergency". Often, people, including me, resort to God only when we feel we need Him, when the truth is, we ALWAYS need Him. Here are some insightful tips and tricks to conquering your prayer life, that have proved very helpful to me!

1. Thanksgiving:
When we hear the word thanksgiving most of our minds turn to turkey, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. What would you say, if I told you thanksgiving could be every day?! As Sarah Young, author of Jesus Calling, puts it, "I,[Christ], am like a supersaturated cloud, showering Peace into the pool of your mind. My Nature is to bless. Your nature is to receive with thanksgiving." These few lines convicted me to try praising God through my prayers more. For every request or concern I present to Him, I try to give Him back a praise. For example, my dog recently died. Before she died, I prayed that God would heal her and relieve her pain. Then, I turned it around and thanked Him for the years I got to spend with her. I know it's tough to find a positive in every situation, so even if your request and praise are totally irrelevant that's ok! The end result: a huge feast of God's ever-present blessings.

2. Legit:
As one kid from my church camp put it, "being legit with God." Adam Robinson, fantastic preacher by the way, challenged all the campers to be honest with God, during a recent week long camp in Missouri. Tell Him how you feel, whether you're sad, mad, or glad. Sometimes talking it out is the best solution, and God is all ears!! Tell Him about the basketball goal you scored, what sno-cone flavor you got, or what stress you are encountering; give Him everything. You will find that if you let it all go and submit to Him, He will take the burdens off your shoulders and carry the weight Himself. I have a friend named Preston, who has Down Syndrome, and if I ever heard a legit prayer it would be his. He prays for the soliders, his friends, his church, and he prays like he means it more than anything, and he does. So, will you take my challenge and pray legitly like Preston?

3. 2 Sided:
No, God doesn't always reveal Himself via burning bush or blinding light, but God still answers your calls, no doubt! Believing in the unseen is one of the toughest road blocks of being a Christian actively devoted to prayer. The important thing to remember is God works in His own timing and if you have faith, He will unveil Himself in the coolest ways. God knows when your down in the dumps and usually when you open up your devo or your Bible, He waiting there to brace your fall and give you the best pick me ups! I strongly encourage you to pour your heart out to God, but it's also important to listen; God's always got something to say. Can't feel God's presence when you pray? Try praying after watching a sunset or find a peaceful place outside that reminds you of God's beauty!

And lastly..

4. Believe:
Before reading further, pull out your Bible and read Joshua 10:7-15. If you haven't already heard Steven Furtick's sermon, Sun Stand Still, on Life Church's website, I would recommend doing so to learn more about Joshua's incredible trust. If you have not already seen it, buckle your seat belts because you're in for a treat. The story goes as so: Once upon a time, there were the fearless Gibeonites, who overthrew the city of Ai and made a treaty with Irsael. Now Jerusalem's king wasn't too thrilled about the Gibeonites moving next door, being the brazen warriors they were, so he gathered up four more troops and attacked the Gibeonites. When Joshua got word of the outbreak, he was terrified, but the Lord said to Him, "Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand." And as the battle rages on through the day, Joshua becomes more and more discouraged. The five Amorite troops are winning, and Joshua knows once the sun goes down the war is lost. Boldly and unashamed, Joshua presents himself to the Lord and asks for the sun to stand still in the sky. Wow! A rather big request! And because Joshua had faith that the Lord could do anything, he was granted his wish. Just think, the God that stopped the sun from setting answers your prayer. There's one simple rule: believe in the power of prayer!

Lord, I pray that you would give us the strength and courage to lay our doubts, insecurities, worries, and thanksgivings before Your ever deserving self. Lord, when the way seems dark, give us a light at the end of the tunnel, something to praise you for. Help us to be open and honest, sharing all our feelings with you, knowing that that is the key to getting to know someone. I pray that you would give us words to say to you, but also ears to hear and eyes to seek your Kingdom. Grant us the boldness and vitality to believe in the miracles You can perform. Thank you, Lord, for the many resources that you have given us to grow in you more. Thank you for not being a silent and isolated God, but a relatable one who not only hears, but feels our deepest prayers. Thank you for being a trustworthy person, who we can always turn to. We love you, and we thank you that we have the privilege of conversing with the King of Kings! Amen.

HAPPY PRAYING!! (:

Abby<3