I’m having one of those weeks where I’m questioning the whole idea of prayer.
Does prayer work?
Does it change anything?
Is it beneficial for me? Or anyone I may be praying for?
Shocking. I know.
But… keepin’ it real.
There are A LOT of things to be praying about right now, and I just want some assurance that prayer works.
I pulled out an old Bible study book by Jennifer Kennedy Dean from a few years ago, remembering how much it encouraged my understanding of prayer. In fact, the first week is called The Purpose of Prayer.
Perfect.
Guys! I have forgotten how powerful this study is! It goes right along with tracking God… looking for Him in the midst of hard times.
I’ve been putting her ideas into practice and, all I can say is… God is so faithful!
He loves when we ask hard questions and then look for how he reveals himself.
Psalm 25:4-5 “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”
I’m using this verse as a keystone verse to looking for God in specific ways.
I started with the first phrase: Show me your ways.
I’m praying this line over and over all day long, all week long.
And… each day, I’m focusing on a different word of the phrase, emphasizing it as I pray.
(Are you still with me?)
For example, the first day— SHOW me your ways— my prayer went something like this:
SHOW me your ways, Lord. I want to see YOU, in and throughout my day. I want to grow in wisdom and understanding of you. I’m looking for YOU. Please, God… show more of who you are and how you are working in my life and in our nation.
And you know what….
I’m seeing God!
And I’m tracking the journey.
My favorite example was this morning when Eddie very casually told me he’s been fasting one day a week at work. He’s not eating or playing music while on the job.
I love that!
THAT’S God at work in my family, and what an example to me of how to incorporate a spiritual discipline into my daily routine.
I’m including a couple pictures from my journal to inspire you to pray this way and track the journey. I’d love to know how you are seeing God in the middle of all this craziness.
Try praying SHOW me your ways, O Lord, and let me know what happens.
And…
I can’t WAIT to share with you the whack-on-the-side-of-the-head for me, as I’ve prayed, “Show ME your ways.”
I have kept a prayer journal for over 40 years. I date it and just write down the prayer, very simple. Periodically I go back over my prayers and when I get an answer, I date that and the answer.
What I found has astonished me but shouldn’t- every single prayer Is always answered. Sometimes the answer Is no, sometimes yes and sometimes wait. BUT always answered.
It’s such a beautiful way to track God working in our lives. He is faithful!
I love this! I want to pray this way myself. Thank you for sharing. I am seeing God work in my friends’ lives who weren’t walking with the Lord and then they had a scare with this virus and fell to their knees. Praying for them to come back. I see relationship restoration with our daughter – slowly but surely – as she works in health care and calls us from hundreds of miles away every day to check on us. I see God in how he is taking care of our family and my other daughter by allowing us to work from home. Even though our daughter works in sports event management at a university they are still paying her for 40 hours because they are a family team and they had the budget to do it. You’re right….we just have to look around and see how God is working. Show me, Lord in a mighty way, how else you are working today. Thank you, Lori and thank you, Jesus.
Deanna,
THAT is a wonderful report of God’s goodness and faithfulness to your family and friends. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for the encouragement Lori. I am glad God works through prayer because I’ve been praying for your health needs.
I too have kept a prayer journal and was looking through one from a few years ago the other day. It was so encouraging to see how God has answered prayers for my children and their walk of faith
Patti,
I think praying for my kids and their walk of faith is what fills up most of my journals. I just want them to love God with all of their hearts and experience his presence. And thank you for praying for me. 😊
I love this so much! What a powerful tool to break down that verse and look for Him all day long! You are such a wonderful source of encouragement to me, my friend! I’m so grateful I have you!!
Kelly!
It’s been a blessing collaborating with you a bit more this week on this topic! You are an encouragement to me to keep looking to Jesus. 🥰
Lori, this was so encouraging and so timely. I absolutely love your insights and ideas. Thank you for always sharing from your heart and mixing sweet love and humor into everything!! Have a beautiful day. 💖
Okay… I love that phrase… mixing sweet love and humor! And I love doing ministry with you!
I will always keep praying. Thank you Lori
Tracy,
I appreciate you interacting with me on this topic! God is so faithful and as we ask the hard questions, seeking more of him… he shows up! Blessings to you!😘
Thank you Lori. I have been praying all day today as I’ve tried to stay focused on the garden and the kids. SHOW me YOUR ways oh Lord. Praying so hard that I not be caught up in worry, which take a lot of focus right now. Reading your post made me feel so comforted to know that I have a prayer compadre. Praying for you!
Prayer compadres for sure!
Yesterday I focused on the phrase, “YOUR WAYS”… asking God to teach me more about his ways. And it’s amazing! When we set our focus for the day, it’s like tuning in a specific channel that is ready to hear from God. ❤️
Thanks again friend for sharing what God is doing in your life! Its so encouraging!! Show me your ways Oh God!! We need that more than ever! Love you!
Praying for you and your family, Wendy!! Thank you for taking the time to comment in the middle of some chaotic times. I love you!
Thanks for taking the time to share and encourage us Lori.
Prayer…it’s vital and deep.
I read recently something to the effect…prayer is us getting to know what God is up to and us getting on board and in sync with Him. I am finding it’s definitely a journey of selflessness, faith and trust. Keep pressing in you are on the right course!
I love your use of the phrase ‘in sync’. THAT’S where I want to be! 🥰
Thank you so much. This really spoke to me today. I appreciate the encouragement to ask Him to show me His ways.
Blessings to you, Mary Lou!🥰
Such a good reminder, Lori and I am so thankful that you shared this! I love the simplicity and the power of this approach.
Bethany!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I am thankful for you!