But When You Pray…

Prayer and praise are the oars by which a man may row his boat into the deep waters of the knowledge of Christ.

Charles Spurgeon.

When I got my first prophetic word, it puzzled me. Mainly because I was expecting something “bigger” and more dramatic. The first sentence went something like trust God to understand your every thought and motive, for He alone understands and sees your heart and its desires, knowing all that goes in and out and through it, unlike any human.

I got disappointed and discouraged because I didn’t get immediate direction. I wanted a to-do list, plans, steps, procedures. Anything to get me from point A to point B. But God spoke through this person, encouraging me to turn to God with every thought.

I didn’t understand what He meant by this at first, but as time went on, it became more endearing to know that God is present in my thoughts. I may not always be aware of His presence, but He’s still there.

The mind of a person plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Even though we plan and make to-do lists, things will not always go our way. Our first response to this is usually getting upset with ourselves. And that’s when it’s important to understand that God sees and knows your heart. He sees your desires and your disappointments, and He wants you to be aware of it.

This prophetic word helped me learn to communicate with God daily. It helped me understand what John 15 meant when Jesus said to abide in Him. Because to live for God is to live from God.

We will go through circumstances and see situations which make us feel helpless. Like what’s currently happening in Afghanistan, or seemingly hopeless situations in your family, or maybe you’re going through a personal struggle that no one else knows about. In hopeless times, you must continue to pray and remind yourself that God is present and sees what what goes on in your mind and heart.

I used to view prayer as a formal, kneel or stand up type ritual, where you do XYZ and follow a formula. But the closer I get to God, I realize again and again that prayer can be anywhere and anytime, in any way. Even through conversations and thoughts or when you’re doing mindless work. That’s why Paul encourages us to be continuously grateful, to not grumble or complain, to rejoice, and be joyful, to have patience and learn self-control, to think about what’s true and noble and lovely and pure and righteous. Because these are all ways to pray!

This doesn’t mean you can’t have concern over your circumstances and situations, but it means that there’s a way to find peace instead of worry, fear, anxiety, and anything else that would steer you from His truth. No matter how difficult or amazing your situation is, remain in continual prayer through your approach towards everything in life (1 Thess. 5:16-22).

“But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” ‭

Matthew‬ ‭6:6‬

The most secret room is in your mind and heart. For no one else knows, sees, or hears what goes on in it except the Father. So even though it’s helpful to set aside and dedicate time to talk to God, it’s equally important to talk to Him in your daily, waking, working moments, in your thoughts and daily plannings, in situations where you can’t go into a room to pray.

Prayer is our constant communication with God, not only verbally, but within our hearts.

When things are good, pray.
When things are hard, pray.
When things are improving, pray.
When things are confusing, pray.
When things go against you, pray.
When things line up for you, pray.
When you CAN do something, pray.
When you can’t do anything, pray.
When you’re happy, pray.
When you’re successful, pray.
When you’re sad, pray.
When you’re mad, pray.
When you’re hopeless, pray.
When you’re hopeful, pray.
And so forth, pray.