Can Prayer Grow Your Faith?
I posed this question to my kids this week.
Alex thought about it for a few minutes.
"Sometimes when I am praying about a worry, I realize it is a stupid thought that just popped into my mind and halfway through my prayer I'm not sure why I'm even taking the time to pray on it. But even if its stupid, just taking the time to be with God and bring your worries to Him grows faith. Sometimes problems get solved just by sitting there with God."
Leeza chimed in. "Prayers are a way of me giving God an opening to work in my life. Sometimes I pray for little things like for my favorite football team to win. Sometimes I pray for big things like a loved one who is sick. But, these are all opportunities for Him to work in my life, and when He works in my life, it definitely grows my faith."
I think they're right.
Bringing our problems to God, whether big or small, creates opportunities for Him to work in our lives. Is it possible the worries and problems we bring to God in prayer strengthen our relationship with our creator? Every problem we bring to God may not be answered in the way we expect, but we can rest assured He always hears us and He's always working on our behalf. His solutions to our problems are always better than our solutions.
Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
I've heard this verse for years, and I've always thought it was notable His name would represent "wonderful counselor". A person goes to a counselor to talk about their problems. A counselor relationship is a very personal, intimate relationship. Often a counselor knows more about you than your closest family members! They are a trusted advisor in your personal life, helping you restore relationships and regain mental health.
God desires this type of personal relationship with us, and more! While a counselor can help us to view our problems differently, God can actually solve them. He can take them onto His shoulders, remove our burdens, and remind us My child, I've got this. I'm on your side. Prayer is our avenue to this type of amazing, profoundly life-changing relationship. It is the ultimate gift, allowing us to face our problems in life instead of crumbling under the pressure of having to go through trials alone. We are never alone! Isn't that an incredible realization?
When going through the cancer diagnosis, you are not alone. Walking through a divorce? You're not alone. When the kids have driven you to the edge of reason, you don't have to shoulder it by yourself. When the loneliness feels unbearable, the Wonderful Counselor is by your side. Not only does He know how to solve our problems, He takes them onto His shoulders, reminding us that our only charge is to stay obedient to Him. We can't save ourselves from our problems. Jesus is the one who can save us and set our hearts free.
Isaiah 55:8 As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Part of the reason it is so important to pursue God's perspective is because He can see the future. He can see the big picture, but we can't. We live in the moment, in the day, in the clutches of our immediate needs. We want a solution for our problems today, but God knows what's good for us tomorrow. Prayer gives us opportunity to listen for His guidance, knowing He has a bigger plan in mind.
I've had some significant moments this week where I've felt very down. Divorce is isolating, and there's times the lonliness can be very challenging to deal with. While it is always helpful to pour out my troubles to God in prayer, I find when I listen during prayer, I begin to view my life through God's plans instead of my own. God gives me new perspective and pulls me out of my dark places. In those times, He reminds me the present isn't an indicator of the future. My struggles won't last forever. He has great plans for me. I miss out on being reassured when I don't give Him time to speak into my life.
Take time to make prayer a meaningful part of your life. Move it to the top of your to-do list, and let God shoulder the struggles you're experiencing. You deserve to experience God's grace and when you do, it will transform your life.
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