There are two prayers that have changed my life.

I remember teaching one to a group of middle school girls.

We sat in a circle on the carpeted floor in one of the Sunday school rooms of the church. I loved teaching them. As a young stay-at-home-mommy, this was my one time of the week to do what I loved most…share Jesus.

…And play kick ball, and run and sweat, and scream and shout, and love on a bunch of kids that weren’t my own and with whom I could carry on a conversation.

I remember this one particular Sunday night as the girls huddled around me in a circle.

I was teaching them about the first important prayer I had learned to pray. I don’t remember what Bible text I used. More than likely it was Matthew 22:36-40.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)

The prayer was:

“Help me love you, Lord.”

 

That night I played a song sung by Jars of Clay. It was one of my favorites, still is. . This is it.

 

 

(Any old people out there remember this one? It was released in 1994.)

Jar’s of Clay gave a melody and beat to the most important prayer (because it is the greatest commandment.)

The greatest commandment is to love God with every bit of our being. Doesn’t it make sense to ask Him to help us do this?

I’ve struggled with scriptures that promise answered prayer when so many times prayers seem to return empty or with disappointment.

 ^“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”( John 14:13-14)

Though all of my prayers aren’t answered as I pray, I know there are prayers He will always answer with a yes, and it makes me wonder if that was what Jesus meant when He gave such promises. These prayers He answers:

1. Prayers that draw us closer to Him.
2. Prayers that give us peace amidst the chaos of life.
3. Prayers that renew our spirits, minds, and emotions.

Years after I learned to pray for help to love Him, I learned the second important prayer.

“Help me trust you, Lord.”

I was thinking I didn’t have a song for this one, but actually I do. It’s an old hymn. It takes me back to the small Methodist church, my mom’s fingers nimbly playing the music, my daddy leading the small, off-key choir, and Papaw next to me with promises of gum and candy in his shirt pocket to quiet a squirming me.

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more.

The history of this old hymn is like so many of the others. It came out of great heart-ache and tragedy. Louisa M. Stead wrote this after her husband drowned trying to save a little boy during a family picnic. She and her daughter struggled financially after his death, and eventually moved to Africa as missionaries.

Living, losing loved ones, dreams shattered, broken hearts…well, they force us to choose anger or peace. Bitter or better.

Just as love is essential in our faith, so is trust. There is no peace where there is no trust. Do you know people who believe in God but don’t trust Him? Are you one of them?

[tweetability]It’s one thing to believe, but it is another to trust God.[/tweetability]

Every translation I could find translates John 3 :16 this way:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Some of the words are changed here and there, but all the translations use the word believe.

Except one.

The Complete Jewish Bible reads:

“For God so loved the world that His only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in Him may have eternal life, instead of utterly being destroyed.”

The Greek word in question is Pisteuo.

Pisteuo- to believe in, have faith in, trust…have confidence in. (Key Word Bible)

 

This word is a present active participle. Please don’t check out here and skip down a few lines. This is key. Present Active Participle means:

• It isn’t past tense.
• It isn’t dead or done.
• It is presently active.

It’s a day to day choice.

 

[tweetability]Believing is done with the mind, but trusting is done with the heart everyday.[/tweetability]

 

I recently gave a friend of mine a 6 month challenge to make these two prayers her “mantra” throughout the day.

• “Lord, help me love you more.”
• “Lord, help me trust you.”

She called me the other day telling me of crazy things happening in her life. My heart sunk for her. I thought she was angry because the prayers had not made her life easier.

I said, “I’m so sorry. All I can do is pray for you.”

She replied, “NO! What I’m trying to tell you is that despite all this bad stuff, I have peace!”

And that’s when I knew that I had to share these prayers with you just as I shared with those middle school girls so many years ago.

Has there been a particular prayer in your faith-journey that has changed your life or given you great peace? Please share in the comments below.

If you struggle with peace, will you take this prayer challenge? Will you make these prayers your “mantra” for the next 6 months. (Challenge ends in Feb.)

• “Help me love you more, Lord.”
• “Help me trust you.”

Maybe we will write a book together about these prayers and your testimonies. Would you like to help me write a book? I would love to share your story one day. Leave a comment below or on my Facebook page to let me know you’re taking the challenge.

With Joy,