Prayer that Strengthens Our faith

Why pray? 
I know there are many reasons that we are told in God's Word to pray. Prayer has led me on a journey of faith-growth. Even though, if asked, I would say that I don't feel like my faith is any stronger, I do notice that I have learned to lean into Scripture prayers and God's promises to His faithful children.

Re-learning to pray:

Not too long ago, I took a month off from blogging to allow more time to devote myself to some things that I had let go from doing on a regular basis. One of those things was spending more time in prayer and in the Bible. It's not that I didn't spend any time in God's Word before that, but it just seemed like prayer had become a chore and there wasn't the deep desire that I have had to pray in previous years. 

One of the main things I wanted to spend more time in prayer for was my son, who lives on his own now and has walked away from the faith he grew up with all of his life. The revelation of this fact was confirmed by my son, himself on, of all days, Easter Sunday. It crushed me to hear that from him, but it also woke up inside of me the deepest and most urgent need I've ever had to be in constant prayer. From that moment forward, I have daily sought God's promises and prayed numerous prayers from Old Testament Books like the Psalms, Isaiah, and Jeremiah as well as New Testament Scripture verses that reveal God's promises. These prayers have really helped me to have a strong faith, as He leads me to these, as well as many other verses. 

Lord, I trust in you;
    let me never be disgraced.
    Save me because you do what is right.
 Listen to me
    and save me quickly.
Be my rock of protection,
    a strong city to save me.
 You are my rock and my protection.
    For the good of your name, lead me and guide me.
 Set me free from the trap they set for me,
    because you are my protection.
 I give you my life.
    Save me, Lord, God of truth.

I will be glad and rejoice in your love,

    because you saw my suffering;

    you knew my troubles.

 

You have not handed me over to my enemies

    but have set me in a safe place.

 Psalm 31:1-8

A Lesson In Prayer: 

At first my prayers were fervent and intentional. I even found strength through times of fasting. 

But then, slowly, but surely, I began to feel resentment well up inside me. I ignored it, when it first took root. But it kept creeping into my thought life. I found that my prayers were turning into a match of faithfulness...saying, "Lord, I've been faithful lately, so I'm claiming Your promises for now. Fulfill them, now."

And when He didn't, those feelings welled up, again.

I knew I had to seek forgiveness for my wrong thinking and remind myself that God's wisdom is greater than my thoughts can even fathom. I must pray for peace, patience(very difficult subject for me), and a stronger faith. 

I'm still working on gaining these things in my life and my heart. It is a process that requires me to spend time with God, so I can hear Him speak to my heart more clearly. Fasting was taking some of that focus away for me. So, I stopped fasting, for now. Prayer, though, is a different story. I continue to pray for my son and for myself. There are many days that that's all I lean on to get me through.

I hope that the Lord is prompting you to search Him fervently and that through prayer you also notice how your faith is strengthened.
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Once again, I'm sharing for "Multitudes on Mondays", as I  Dare to Share some of the gifts that God has been so gracious to put into my life. 

1,714 - Gaining a new understanding of prayer that strengthens my faith.

1,715 - A good day of fishing!

1,716 - Meeting up with a dear friend and counselor, who knows my heart, listened to me share, and shared some timely wisdom with me.

1,717 - Puffy clouds

1,718 - Sunshine...one of my favorite things God has made!

1,719 - Enjoying a cool swim in the lake with my little canine friend.

1,720 - Making and eating homemade Chicken Enchiladas...my hubby's favorite meal.

1,721 - My wonderful hubby, who often does things for me out of the kindness of his heart, without me asking him.

1,722 - Learning the difference - when to take heed to the quote below:

1,723 - Thunderstorms - we had a mean one last night. They remind me of how great and mighty God is.

"Our hearts pound with great confidence as we take mighty tasks to our exceedingly mighty Lord."
"God exercises His authority and ability to do the impossible through the prayers of His people."
Source

Linking over to these blog hops:

Unforced Rhythms (Chronicles of Grace)
Sunday Stillness (He Cares For You)
Weekend Brew (My Freshly Brewed Life) 
 SDG Gathering (Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood)
 Sharing His Beauty (Beauty In His Grip)
Titus2sdays (Time-Warp Wife)
UNITE (Rich Faith Rising)
 Winsome Wednesday(My Daily Walk in His Grace) 
 Word-Filled Wednesday (Woman to Woman)
  Tell Me a True Story Blog Hop

Essential Fridays (Essential Thing Devotions) 
Faith Filled Friday (Missional Women) 
Prayer Girls Link-up Party (JuanaMikels)