I’ve never really felt like I got prayer right. I know prayer isn’t a right and wrong. I know that it is as simple as talking to God. But when it comes to prayer, something inside me has always wondered, am I doing this right?
I’ve been a Christian since I was 11. Thirty years with Jesus is a long time, and one would think I’d have it figured out by now. But that’s the big discovery in all things faith: there is no arriving, we’re always on a journey.
Having always been more of a checklist person than a process person, this has been challenging to accept. God has been so good in showing me that there is beauty in becoming. When we realize we can release the pressure to arrive, we learn there is great freedom in being in process.
Today I choose to accept the process, to welcome the journey, to become.
And prayer is a good place for that. Consider this our preparation for a road trip, friend. Let’s gear up!
Get the Gear
Every good journey has snacks.
Whenever I take a roadtrip, I always get excited about the snacks for the journey. I’d like to say I’m all about the carrot sticks and celery, but truthfully I’m a chocolate, Pringles and pack of Twizzlers girl when it comes to road trips. I know it’s not the healthiest, but I pretty much drink only water, so that’s something.
Now, this journey toward a more prayerful existence won’t be fueled by chocoalte, chips and candy. But I wasn’t exactly sure what I needed. So I asked God and decided to bring a few different things to see what works.
My list is simple:
- Bible
- Books
- Journal
That’s it. I’m guessing you have some of these handy right now! I’ll share more about the books I chose soon, but if you need a quick recommendation click here and let me know! I’ll send one right away!
Commit to your Prayer Journey
I’m not talking about resolutions here. Instead we’re talking about accepting that this will be a journey and making the choice to stay on it.
That means if you miss a day or two or ten, you come back.
Commit to drawing closer to Jesus through prayer.
Be Ready
God has good things in store as we intentionally draw closer to Him through prayer.
Some steps will be easy and feel great, others may be hard. But we can choose to have faith, even when we don’t feel faith. How? We don’t have to do it on our own.
I love when the father in Mark brings his son to Jesus. He is desperate, longing for freedom for his boy. He begs Jesus, and Jesus replies,
“If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:23-24
Friend, this is all we need to be ready: choose to believe and ask Him to help our unbelief.
Are you ready? Let’s go!
Want to journey with me? I’ll be sharing more throughout the year here and on Instagram. Don’t miss it!
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“Commit” to my prayer life…that word…commit…is the essence of this for me. I want this but do not take this commitment to heart for each and every day. It often becomes sporadic and that is not the way. Thank you for this very timely reminder, Rebecca.
Isn’t it amazing how God can draw us closer with a simple word?!
I so relate to this. Is there even a wrong way to pray? I think not when Jesus lives within us and Holy Spirit guides us. I just pray a million times a day even if it’s “O GOD.”
Yup! One of my most uses prayers is “JESUS” (Sometimes in a whisper and sometimes a shout!)
‘When we realize we can release the pressure to arrive, we learn there is great freedom in being in process.’
What truth! When God invites us to a deep love relationship, our hearts say, ‘yes, yes, Lord!’
I’m off to share your superb words today, Rebecca. For God is always inviting us to something deeper and more substantial. He loves us so!
Thank you so much sweet friend! He loves us indeed!
you’re featured!
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Rebecca, it’s funny, God keeps bringing prayer into my days and my thoughts. I am a pray-er, but I’m not always good at praying with belief. He showed me that in my quiet time this morning. I journaled the wording of the exact verse you shared: “Help my unbelief!”
Thanks for the encouragement to grow in my prayer life.
That’s awesome that God is meeting you in your quiet time as you grow in prayer!
Amen! I’ve committed the mornings to prayer, journaling, and Bible study since I was a teenager. I know Jesus has made me a better person–but I still have lots of growth. Faith is a journey filled with hope.
There is so much hope in the journey!
Great post, Rebecca. I’m somewhat like you. A list person who never feels like I get it quite right because God never allows it to be as simple as my lists. I know it’s about relationship but still find it a struggle at times.
Isn’t that the truth: God never allows it to be as simple as my lists! He’s so much bigger!
I’m very much a list-maker and project planner kind of a girl…and often fool myself into feeling I’m making progress simply because I made the list. Committing to following through and sticking it with…..there’s where the rubber meets the road for me!
I can relate! You’re talking to the girl who quit more instruments (and jobs) than she kept! But God is so full of grace and love!