How To Be Confident in Your Prayer Life
As a mom, you never want anything to happen to your children. So, what do you do when tragedy strikes your home, leaving you helpless?
Many years ago, in the early hours of the morning, I was awoken from a deep sleep. Being someone who prays, it's not out of the ordinary for this to happen, but this particular time was different. Instead of hearing God’s voice, I heard a faint one, pleading, “Mommy, I can’t breathe.” Finding myself unable to move, I heard it again and knew instantly that it was Natalie.
Jumping out of bed, I ran to her room and sure enough, Natalie was sitting up, gasping for air. I remember shouting, “Natalie, you have to breathe!” She began nodding her head as if to say, “Mommy, I am trying.” With that last breath, she passed out. I remember calling to my husband, John, and when he rushed into the room, Natalie had already begun turning blue. Immediately, John took action, trying to open her mouth, but after a few defeated attempts, he declared that she was gone. As her mom, I just couldn’t accept that.
Right away, I dialed 9-1-1, and after explaining to the operator what was going on, I pleaded with them to tell me what to do. About that time, the paramedics had arrived and rushed into Natalie’s room to take over. They started CPR compressions and inserted a breathing tube to try to stimulate Natalie’s breathing. I could tell they were nervous as they were fumbling through the motions, and looking at one another with perplexed looks on their faces. That was the moment that I knew I had to get to my secret closet.
Weeping, I fell to my knees and began to pray. I remember the Holy Ghost asking me, “Trina, do you remember the Shanummite woman?” Instantly, I recalled the sermon I recently preached about that very woman and how God raised her son from the dead, and in that moment, I was encouraged, because what God did for her, surely He would do for me!
When we arrived at the hospital, Natalie had been revived. Doctors informed us that her asthma attack was the worst they had seen in twenty years. And while this circumstance had tried to end my baby’s life, the power of prayer prevailed.
3 Ways to Implement Prayer In Your Life
Prayer is so important to our spiritual lives because it is our line of communication with our Heavenly Father.
Throughout every hardship and excruciating circumstance, prayer strengthens our confidence in God. It is a vehicle in which we learn His character, His promises, and His comfort when seasons of life blindside us.
If you don’t have a strong prayer routine, it's not too late—His mercies are new every morning! Let’s explore how I foster a life of prayer. (And if something stands out to you, use it!)
Create a Prayer Schedule
For as long as I can remember, my home has always been full and buzzing with action. Between my six children and now multiple grandbabies, there were (and still are!) many times I feel ill-equipped to get things done. However, God revealed to me that it is perfectly okay to schedule prayer time into my day. (Because, let’s face it, if I don’t schedule it, it won’t happen.)
Currently, I am up every morning around 5:30 AM. This is when my home is the most still, and I enjoy waking up slowly with the Lord before the busy begins. I grab a warm cup of tea or coffee, open my Bible, and begin by reading a small passage of scripture.
Now, let me be clear, this isn’t my time for study, but rather, I simply pray God’s holy scriptures back to Him. Usually when I do this, He responds by bringing to mind how I should worship Him and pray over my day.
Pull-Away Prayer Time
Let’s be honest, praying in the morning is just not enough to sustain our spirit. Because of this, I am mindful of implementing pull-away prayer times throughout my day where I can authentically connect with God.
If this overwhelms you, I suggest you set a few daily timers throughout your day that will remind you to pray and refocus on God. Before you know it, it will become second nature!
Find a Prayer Partner
Having a prayer partner has completely changed my life. Each Wednesday, me and my longtime friend and co-pastor, Susie, spends time together praying for one another and the world. And let me tell you, I have learned so much about prayer from her. I have learned better accountability, spiritual transparency, and my faith has been strengthened immensely.
Matthew 18:19 in the NKJV says, “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” This scripture reminds me that when two people are united on a prayer front, they can have confidence in knowing that God is with them and will answer according to His will.
So, how can you find a prayer partner? The first thing I suggest is to pray! Ask God to raise up a person for you who will strengthen and challenge you in your prayer walk. You want to ask someone whose prayer life you admire and can learn from.
Just Pray (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)
Now, there are plenty of times when I don’t feel like getting up at 5:30 AM to pray. I am human!
So when this happens, I simply am honest with God. I share with Him (from my bed) that I just don’t feel like getting up early. And you know what happens? In doing so, I have opened up a line of communication with my Heavenly Father.
Prayer is merely a practical conversation with the One who loves us most. It doesn't have to be premeditated or liturgical. The more authentic it is, the more you will desire to do it.
Being Confident In Our Prayers
Oftentimes, we pray believing God for the small, “easy” things, but doubting that He will come through for the big, “hard” asks. Praying this way can subconsciously put up a wall when we are communicating with God, ultimately affecting our prayer life.
So, how can we be intentional about being bold in our prayers? Well, let’s go to His word!
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
-Mark 11:24, NKJV
Friend, as we approach the throne of grace, we must remember that God wants to answer our prayers. He will do it if we believe it!
“I am passionately in love with God because he listens to me. He hears my prayers and answers them.”
-Psalm 116:1, TPT
I love this verse because it reminds me that God not only listens to every word that I utter, but He is faithful to answer my prayers!
Once you gain an understanding that God wants to answer your prayers and that He hears you every time, it will change your perspective and drive you to want to pray!
What Happens If God Doesn’t Answer My Prayers?
There have been many times in my life when a prayer has gone unanswered. And do you know why that is? Well, simply put, there are two components to prayer: the human side and God’s side. Humans ask; God gives.
We know that God is the faithful giver and longs to answer our prayers. So, what’s the hang-up? Well, for starters, it could be that we are asking with the wrong motives. We approach it with an open hand, and when God doesn't answer, we stop praying.
Instead, I suggest that instead of giving up in our prayers, what if we ask God why He isn’t answering us? This will open a conversation with an opportunity for His revelation. Then, you can apply what He shares to your prayers and make it right!
Another reason why God may not be answering how you expect is simply because it isn’t in His will to. When we ask God to change His answer, we are asking Him to change His will for our lives. It is very possible that we must go through a painful process to align ourselves with what He has planned for us. Instead, may we be women who respond as Jesus did: “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
-1 John 5:14-15, NKJV
Dear one, God wants to answer your prayer. As His beloved daughter, God wants to speak to you and answer your prayers when you have a need. Be encouraged; ask big prayers and be confident because He loves you and hears your every word!