How I Learned Prayer

We need balance to live from our highest self; whenever we lack in some area, I believe it’s because we are out of balance in our mind, body, or spirit. The way to recapture that balance is primarily through the spirit, which illuminates where we need to focus our energy. The Bible says the spirit of a man is the candle fo the Lord (Proverbs 20:27). It sheds light on our innermost being. Prayer builds your trust in the often forgotten part of you.

How often should you pray?

I believe daily. As with any habit, the more you do it, the better you get at it. If you pray, but 5 minutes a day, every day, you are doing more than the vast majority of people in this world.

How should I pray?

Ah, this is such a good topic. So let’s dive right in.

Another word for prayer is a petition.

When you think about a petition, think about a current law or part of your society that is causing harm to several people. Let’s use at the example of the confederate flag flown at the South Carolina state capitol.

Many people were offended about the flag being there.

So a petition was started.

The petition stated the reasons why the flag should not be flown at the state capitol because South Carolina has a diverse population, some of which are deeply offended by its continued presence. The petition simply stated (in simpler terms) We, the people, demand that the state removes the confederate flag from the State Capitol grounds.

(For the record the flag is still there, but it was moved to a less prominent location)

If we see things in our lives that we don’t like, we can ask for help from God. You are appealing to a higher power to do something that you have until now been unable or perhaps unwilling to do. In prayer, we have an audience with the creator of the universe. We have His ear. He is listening to us. It is a privilege, and we should treat it as such.

So how should you pray?

The Bible says in the book of James:

We have assurance if that if we pray according to His will, we are heard.

The will of God is that the believer is healthy, has sufficiency, and is at peace, among other things. These are all things for which you have a right to petition God.

When you pray, God sees it as done.

Here is a sample prayer:

(Start with gratitude)
Thank you for everything you’ve given me, Lord.
Thank you for my health, for what I have now, thank you for my family, my children, my employment, my business.
According to your word, you said I was healed by the stripes of Jesus Christ. So I thank you for healing. You said that I was the lender and not the borrower, so thank you for the abundance you’ve given me. You told me my joy would be full, so thank you for more comfort. You said that if I commit my activities to you, that you will see my plan through. I thank you that it is done. Amen.

Count your prayer as done.

You have your answer once you pray as far as God is concerned. Your job now is to know you have a granted petition. You will only realize it if you do your part.

What is my part?

Summed up, I am saying: if you do what you can do, God will do what you can’t do.

What are some examples of what we CAN do:

Start and keep a budget
Work as hard as we can on a project or a job
Read and study
Exercise regularly
Make good choices with our eating
Forgive
Treat people fairly
Keep our word

What are some examples of what we (probably) CAN’T do

Fix or change others

Things that are outside of our present ability

Change the past

Make someone buy our product

Make someone say “I’m Sorry”

Make someone come back

Make someone love us

Make someone like us

Heal ourselves

If we max out on what we can do, God will max out on his end.

Choose to add prayer to your routine. If you are a little confused, the best prayers will always be ones of gratitude. Being grateful can shift your entire life.

Again, these are my beliefs. You may disagree, and that’s fine. But for those who want to know more, I invite you to explore the power of prayer.

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