What Gives Prayer Power?
Something I have realized recently is a deeper take on something I have talked about before: Vain repetition vs continued reliance.
(You can read these 3 previous posts on this topic: “What Even Is Prayer?”; “Pray Continually-What Does Prayer Actually Accomplish?”; “Why Do You Pray? Vain Repetitions VS Continued Reliance.”.)
The Bible says to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) & also emphasizes the need to continue asking for something with urgency (Luke 18:1-8). BUT, it also warns against “vain repetitions” (Matthew 6:7-8)—”as if God doesn’t already know” or…
… as if the power of prayer comes in the HOW it’s prayed vs the WHO it’s prayed TO.
Sometimes You Entrust It & Walk Away… Other times You Pray Repeatedly as If Your Very Life Depends on It… What’s the Difference?
When praying, there are certain things we need only ask once for, that God would provide something specific, leaving the how in God’s hands, trusting Him to provide in His timing.
But some things are daily. The grace to get through the day, for example. Mindfulness for outreach & evangelism opportunities, peace, gratefulness for daily provisions, wisdom, strength, the way forward, etc. A continuous reliance upon Him vs self.
Maybe you’d really love something but you’re not sure it’s what’s best. You can pray & say, “God, You know I would really love this. If it pleases You, can You make it happen someday? If not, I trust Your lead.”
But this same scenario can fit both types of prayer, depending on the circumstances.
Say you are still worried about it… pray AGAIN. Say you feel confident that God will work it in His timing & will & leave it with Him—then you really just need to ask Him once to work in His timing & will on it.
The Idea & Prayer Came Long Before This Website Was Birthed
For example, I had the desire for a website/blog back in the early 2000’s, but I had no idea how or what to do, so I had no room to move forward. So, I prayed about it & let it go.
A decade or so later, after my lonely, rage-monster-trapped-in-my-head hard time in Hokkaido, God brought back my long-forgotten request with a felt urgency of “now is the time.”
I still had no idea HOW, so I prayed over any concerns or lack of know-how that popped up at the consideration & entrusted the way forward to Him. Praying regularly over each new concern or lack of know-how as it came up... adding each to my list of concerns that I brought to Him.
Then, I see a course pop up on social media teaching the steps to design, develop, & launch a website… & every single thing I had been praying over was addressed. I knew that was the way forward because I had been taking my new/unsolved concerns to Him on a regular basis as they arose.
Are You Trying to Convince God? Or Are You Entrusting to God?
We need to be careful that our regular prayer does not become a spewed off list, meaningless repetitions, but rather humbled petition brought boldly before an all-capable, all-knowing, all-powerful God… One Who gave His very Son to save us from our sins against Him… in other words, a God Who loves us inexplicably.
Do we pray every night for it because we feel our repeated petitions grant it power? Do we do it thinking if you don’t pray “hard enough” He will not care enough to answer? Or do we do it as a sign of continuous reliance upon Him in the unknowns & requests of life, KNOWING that if there is a place of hope, a way forward, it can ONLY be found in HIM?
Can you think of any good examples of either praying once & trusting God to provide in His own wisdom & timing? OR, needing to daily rely on Him for something, going to Him regularly & consistently, placing your trust repeatedly in Him over yourself?
Shine HOPE by knowing to Whom you pray… & praying accordingly… boldly, humbly, trusting.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
***He is waiting for you… will you come?:***
***(Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10; John 14:6)***
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As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.
A Note from Michelle:
(***Check out my FREE Journal Printable Resources: “Accountability Partner Guide + Question Prompts” & “Bible Study Question Prompts ,” as well as “Prayers of Surrender” prayer guides!***)
This blog/website has been running for 7.5 years now! THANK YOU for your continued support & encouragement. <3
If you would like to learn more of my story, check out the “About Me” tab. And if you would like to hear how I found my lasting source of HOPE, read the “Hope Is Found” tab, on this site. I hope they are an encouragement to you! <3
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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:
Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!
Ellie Bag Charm–Handcrafted in India!
Meet our newest Elephant friend, the Ellie Bag Charm! This adorable charm is created in a workshop committed to fighting child marriage in India by creating fair paying job and shows of the craftmanship of our talented artisan partners in India! Each bead is handsewn onto the charm to create this Elephant image.
–>Every purchase provides safe jobs with fair wages in areas of extreme poverty where vulnerable women are often exploited by sweatshops.<–
***SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!***
How Can You Help Artisans around the World AND Help Support MichelleHydeOnline.com?
#1 is PRAY. Financial help is great & helps pay my website fees & helps support these women artisans… but God’s help is always needed most… both for encouragement & for spiritual hope, through Jesus, for the women we support through our ethical fashion purchases. Always PRAY first.
Your purchases not only help these women, but my commissions help me in continuing this website/blog, encouraging women all around the world with the HOPE we have in Jesus. Win-win-win!
Have a wonderful week living for His glory in all that you do!
