prayer

Stop Praying

It happens to the best of us.

Some days our prayers feel empty.

Unproductive. Weak. Useless.

Our prayers seem to bounce back from the sky; it’s as if they aren’t reaching God.

Psalm 147 cloud

We’ve knocked on the doors of heaven asking for the same miracle so many times our spiritual knuckles are bleeding. No answers appear. Silence is His response.

Are we not using the right words? Are we praying for the wrong things?

Maybe.

But then again maybe not. Maybe it’s just not time.

When my prayers feel this way and I’m discouraged, when my prayers are like a dog chasing its tail, and I’m going in circles in vain repetition, not going anywhere or seeing any movement forward, I stop.

I stop praying.

I take a deep breath and blow it out slowly. And I change the direction of my prayers.

Rather than praying for the breakthrough, I began thanking Him for the healing or the provision or the ___________(you fill in the blank).

I thank Him for who He is and His goodness and kindness. His wisdom and grace. 

Jesus.

I thank Him for Jesus.

I open up my Bible to the Psalms and begin to pray through them as the Holy Spirit leads me. If I’m praying for someone else, I put his name into the scripture as I pray.

Our prayers edit

There’s just something powerful about praying this way. It’s calming to my worried heart when I pray words inspired by the Holy Spirit thousands of years ago. Words inked by kindred hearts who desperately needed God’s answers too.

The Psalms cover every prayer need from healing to provision, victory in battle to worshiping God.

Even my prayers of praise can get monotonous and repetitious, but the Psalms help me worship God in prayer.

If your prayer life isn’t productive these days or if you find yourself in situations where you just don’t know how to pray, stop. Stop praying.

Open your Bible.

And let the ancient words of the Psalms become your prayers.

Let’s practice. Let’s pray a portion of Psalm 146. Grab my hand:

(v. 5,6)

“Dear God, Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord her God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them–the Lord who remains faithful. Thank you for being our help. Help us come to you before we call our best friend or desperately try to fix a problem on our own. Be our help and our hope. Show us what that looks like. You made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. Surely You can handle this problem of mine. And you remain faithful. Always. Thank you. Help us remember that when answers aren’t coming right away. We love you and worship you. We pray this in the name of Jesus, the tangible proof of your love and faithfulness. Amen.”

Leave a comment. Is this a new concept for you, or do you have a scripture you love to pray? 

Have a wonderful weekend. Bless somebody today.

 

Jesus loves you,

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8 Comments

  1. Laura Menefeee

    At some point, I will learn this lesson of praying praise when only frustration and fear are before me. This concept isn’t new. It is just one that I haven’t learned all that well. But God has put you in my life repeatedly to teach me. :) Thank you Mrs. Andy Lee.

    1. Hey Laura! I think that’s why praying the Psalms help–when you don’t feel like it. They give you words when you don’t have them. So glad you stopped by! Thanks for leaving your thoughts. Miss you!

  2. Bonnie

    Awesome Anyd! I’ve prayed the scriptures before but it was always more You said You would. Felt like i was trying to guilt God into doing what I want with His Word.
    Love, love love your sample! It made me stop and think about Who God is first of all. Not someone to guilt. So changed the way I see prayer now.

    1. Hey Bonnie! I’m so excited this helped you to use scripture to pray. It is so powerful. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!

  3. Kim Michele

    Thank You, I think it’s working.. And I look forward to reading and learning what you share. I so need God’s work through you. :)
    “As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight” PS:16:3

    1. Yay, it’s working! So thrilled to have you join this fellowship of believers, Kim. I’m always praying you come to know His peace and love for you.

  4. Heather Iseminger

    Oh friend, I have so much to learn from you…just beautiful. And something I needed to hear.

    1. Thanks Heather! I’ve got a few years on you. :) So glad you needed to hear this today. God is good.

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