This year, my desire has been to seek God in deeper ways in my prayer life. Like every aspect to spiritual growth, there are always new discoveries to make, rich and awesome wonders to encounter, and deeper roots to grow in faith. As I explore the mysterious depths of prayer, I’ve come to a conclusion:
I am too independent.
In homeschool, my son and I are reading biographies of famous missionaries. Two that stand out in my mind are Hudson Taylor and George Mueller. These missionaires did not believe in raising support for their work. They believed so strongly in the power of prayer that they prayed for God to meet each and every one of their needs. Every. Single. One. The stories we have read of God’s provision are amazing. What strikes me the most, and what has pierced my heart, is how little of my life I entrust to God in prayer.
Like many Americans, I am not as dependent on God as are Christians in other countries. If I need food, I just go to the grocery store. If I need an idea for a school lesson, I browse Pinterest. If I experience a mysterious medical symptom, I look it up online. If I get lost on the road, I look at the GPS. I don’t live a life of dependence upon my Heavenly Father. Prayer is not my first instinct. Only when things get beyond my control do I stop and pray.
But I wonder, what would my faith look like if I prayed for everything? What if I prayed when I plan a school lesson? What if I prayed for parking spots? What if I prayed in the midst of our rushing around in the mornings? What if I prayed for opportunities to see God answer my prayers?
And then I think about all those things I just assume are unfixable and rarely stop to pray about-like my allergies or my internet connection that works intermittently or my son’s aversion to vegetables. What if I gave all of those things to God too?
“Prayer is the open admission that without Christ we can do nothing. And prayer is the turning away from ourselves to God in the confidence that He will provide the help we need. Prayer humbles us as needy, and exalts God as wealthy.” John Piper in Desiring God.
The gospel of grace tells me that I cannot save myself. Jesus came to rescue me from sin and death. My everyday prayers are a reflection of this same truth. Not only do I need a Savior for my sins, I need a Father who hears and answers my prayers each day. Just as my children depend on me to provide for them, I need to depend on my Father to meet my every need. My heart’s posture needs to be bent low, humble, expectant, helpless and trusting that God cares about everything that burdens my heart. The more I depend on Him, the more I give to Him in prayer, the greater is His glory and fame.
I am giving up my independence and depending on the One who gives me life, breath, and everything else. Will you join me?
Great reminders! Daily prayer, moment by moment; beautiful. And those flowers are pretty gorgeous, too!
Thanks, Kim! Yes, it is moment by moment and in everything, not just the hard things. Thanks for visiting!
How very true! I think we are all in this with you. I am also trying to be more dependent, but it goes against my human nature. As you have talked about before, only when we are trusting Him 100% is it possible to live victoriously in Christ. I want to do that.
Love, Mom
Me too! And I’m thankful for the Spirit who enables us to do so. Thanks for stopping by, I love when you do!
Yes!! Fantastic reminder. (And George Muller is one of my heroes.) I am dealing with two (small) things I just need to stop and give to God in prayer!!! (Beautiful photos, too. THIS God-that created such beauty-this is the beautiful God we are trusting….!)
Yes, those flowers remind me of how he provides so beautifully for his creation, how much more will he do the same for us? Thanks for visiting!
Christina, LOVE this!! Oh, we are such a spoiled, independent people, aren’t we!? If we would only turn to God. Thank you for this reminder.
Yes, spoiled is a good word. I see it in my kids but too often fail to see it in my own heart. I’m so glad you visited Jenifer!
Oh man, so true. I too am so challenged by Hudson Taylor (named one of our sons after him) and his faith in the Lord’s provision for EVERYTHING! It is incredible how he purposefully didn’t ask for things, but instead prayed for them and EXPECTED God to answer his prayers. We live in such a consumer world that we want what we want when we want it. If I read about a book that I think I would benefit from I click my amazon shopping cart “buy” button and get it in two days. Rarely do I take these “small” desires to the Lord to see if it is his will for me to have such a thing. Anyway, I am rambling now. All that to say that I completely relate to your feelings here. I too would like to develop a deeper trust and faith in the Lord’s ability to answer prayer and thus develop a greater dependence on him.
You are not rambling:) I’m right there with you. The other day the four of us were headed somewhere and were late and it took me until we were almost there before I stopped and prayed about it. I want a heart like those missionaries who depended on God for everything and BELIEVED in him for everything. Thanks for stopping by!
I’ll never get over how our journeys cross so many times, friend!
God’s been working on my prayer life…it’s in desperate need of a makeover and this post blessed me so much. thank you!
Thanks, Nikki:) I love how God uses us to bless each other in our walks, as you always bless me.
Oh, how I loved this! You really spoke to my heart. This is the third post on prayer that I have read in one week. God is working on me! Thank you for allowing God to speak through you.
Many Blessings~
Shari