Recently, our pastor had an idea for an answered prayer chain.
We would have colored strips of paper and could write down prayers that we prayed that had been answered throughout the week.
I volunteered to collect the strips of paper each week and assemble the chain.
So far we have close to 100 links of our chain hanging in the hallway that we continually add to each week.
I have been so convicted by helping with this project.
I’ve always felt that prayer was something I did fairly well.
But I’ve been amazed that sometimes it’s hard to sit down and write on these strips of paper the answered prayers.
I pray every day. I pray for my family. I pray for those who are sick. I pray for safety. I pray for those who are lost.
But I’ve noticed that my prayers can be vague. I’ve noticed that they are often the same. Of course, God wants me to pray for lost loved ones. Of course, He wants me to pray for my family. These prayers are important, and God hears them.
But He also wants your every day struggles.
What if you prayed for God to help your child with her Spanish test?
Or maybe you prayed to have energy to play with your kids when you get home from work.
Or maybe you prayed to not lose your temper with your spouse.
Maybe you prayed for Him to help you at a meeting at work.
God wants us to pray specifically.
He wants us to bring everything to Him; little and big requests.
Because when we make prayer a constant conversation with God, it’s going to draw us closer to Him.
Because when we pray for these specific requests, we will begin to see just how many prayers God answers in our day-to-day.
We begin to see just how powerful and good our God is.
We begin to see His hand in every part of our day.
And when we pray specifically and realize how many prayers He answers, thankfulness will be the result.
1 Thessalonians 5:17,18 says, “Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
So when we pray specifically throughout our day, we are being obedient to what He has asked us to do, and the end result will be thankfulness.
Today, I challenge you to pray specifically.
I challenge you to write down answered prayers regularly.
And if it’s difficult to think of things to write down, ask yourself if it’s because God isn’t answering or because you aren’t asking.
James 4:2 says, “You do not have because you do not ask.”
God wants to give us good things. He is a loving father who wants to help us.
Matthew 7:11 reminds us of this, “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!”
I’m thankful I can come to God with big prayers that seems impossible if not for Him.
But I’m also thankful that He loves me so much, He wants me to bring my little, every day problems to Him as well.
Dear Lord,
Help me to cast all my cares on You. Help me to realize that You created me to pray and to give thanks to You. Help me to be in constant prayer. Thank you for loving me.
Amen
“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Ephesians 6:18
