“When you pray, do not use a lot of meaningless words, as the pagans do, who think that their gods will hear them because their prayers are long. Do not be like them. Your Father already knows what you need before you ask him.”—Matthew 6:7–8 GNT
At the beginning of the year, I was in conversation with a very good friend and sister in Christ who explained how she wanted to develop spiritually this year. She talked about wanting to be more specific in her prayers, not only for herself but also when interceding for others.
To me, this meant not just praying a general prayer like “God bless me or God bless that family,” but saying how the family or I need to be blessed. The prayer can become specific by praying for improved finances or for peace during a traumatic season.
When being specific in prayer, it is an opportunity to note and date it, which will make it easier to know when God has answered. Please note that this is not a formula because our God is sovereign and He works in miraculous ways. Sometimes, we may think we want one thing, and God, in His sovereignty, has something different and better for us. Which is why a personal relationship with God is very important.
This brings me to Jehoshaphat, when the three neighbouring nations wanted to wage war against him, he stood in the presence of the people of Judah and prayed. After recounting God’s faithfulness, he said, “Now the people of Ammon, Moab, and Edom have attacked us. When our ancestors came out of Egypt, you did not allow them to enter those lands, so our ancestors went around them and did not destroy them. This is how they repay us—they come to drive us out of the land that you gave us. You are our God! Punish them, for we are helpless in the face of this large army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help.” 2 Chronicles 20:10-12 (GNT)
Jehoshaphat knew that without God, they couldn’t win this battle and asked God to fight on their behalf. I love the statement, “We do not know what to do, but we look to you for help.” This is Jehoshaphat surrendering the situation to God and waiting for guidance.
Not long after the prayer, God answered and gave them instructions, which Jehoshaphat followed to the letter, even though they were unconventional. When we pray, like Jehoshaphat, we need to be ready to act in faith, because those instructions might sometimes seem foolish, unusual to us. Remember, “As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways and thoughts above yours.” Isaiah 55:9 (GNT)
When we are specific in our prayer, we anticipate an answer from our Father, which will lead to actions, testimonies, and a recall in the future.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 