prayer – Valerie Rumfelt

How You Can Be Prepared for God’s Plans

When was the last time you thought about a beaver? Me neither, but these interesting rodents recently came to mind when I pondered being ready for whatever is coming. Curiosity led me to research these non-hibernators. Beavers have a method of gnawing on trees and branches near a stream. This begins the process of building a dam and a home for themselves called a lodge.

These creatures choose a shallow body of water. Choosing this protects them later from a build-up of ice in the winter. The build-up would slow down their ability to go to and fro in their engineered paths for food. They strip away from the trees and bring along other limbs, twigs, stones, and other plants for this intentional endeavor. The result; survival. In addition to this fundamental need, the dams serve as protection from those who seek to devour them; predators.

Beavers offer some analogy for us as humans. At times in our lives, we may choose to let go of unnecessary things, just like animals shed their fur to stay cool. This is good. But more often than not, it is God who orchestrates processes to cause this. The “letting go” can be in many forms and can come quickly or over time. This process is to get us prepared.

Some choose to cooperate with God in this process; others dig their heels in.

Who could have predicted an unseen, worldwide pandemic and all its ramifications? Remember when Covid 19 shut down gyms for a while? Was this a routine in your life? How did you adjust and prepare for the new season? Did you get creative and find other ways to stay fit? This is an everyday example. But twists and turns that require our adjustment come, and we must be prepared. We won’t always have time to get prepared.

Consider the following scenarios: a tragedy of some kind, a natural disaster, the death of a close loved one, a financial collapse, incarceration, a move to an unlikely place, a call to ministry or missions, a terminal diagnosis, or being the caregiver for a vulnerable person. It could be God is calling you out of your comfort zone, and you need to prepare for your next assignment. Or the surprise of a godly man or woman entering your life as your future mate.

But back to the beaver: Eventually, the dam or the lodge is built. Its functions and purposes are in place, and the beaver begins life in its new ecological home. Survival in a new season instinctually led the beaver to build a shelter.

In contrast, we can often ignore or procrastinate when action is needed. We spend more time than required asking why. We complain. We need time to process, and we wish things would go back to the way they were. We have no interest in being challenged or surrendering to God. Beavers? They do what’s necessary for life and living and survival. They do these acts of survival year around. I know I can learn some things from these nocturnal, busy, and intentional creatures.

Our God is sovereign, and He is powerful, and nothing that comes into a Christ-followers’ life is unplanned. There are no surprises to God. Since this is true, then why does it take us so long sometimes to get on board with His plan? The beaver knows what is required and gets about doing it. The result is efficient, prepared, and ready for whatever may come. We can do the same. God is not interested in us being ill-equipped or unprepared for life. We can adjust ourselves to God.

Our ability to adjust seems related to our ability to trust our Heavenly Father.

So just like the beaver, we can build our earthly life efficiently, with preparation, and live in the reality of what is, instead of what we wish it would be.

We can grow no matter how old we are, no matter the situation.

We can be ready for what God has. It doesn’t mean we won’t have fear or anxiety, but I humbly submit when I incorporate specific disciplines and habits, my response improves when the challenge comes and when life is changing.

I also know the enemy is prowling, and he preys on those who are idle and unprepared. Christ’s followers are in the Lord’s army, and we must have a soldier’s readiness. We don’t want to cooperate in any delay of God’s plan, do we?

Here are some practices and disciplines I’ve learned which help me. I’m still growing, and I need God’s mercy and help every day of my life.

Tips to be Prepared for Life:

–Memorize and meditate on scripture – The Bible is God’s Word and the roadmap for life. As followers of Jesus, He expects us to obey it. The more scripture you have inside of you, the better your foundation for action when the plan comes.

–Pray – Prayer is meeting with our Father. We are talking and listening, but mainly we are in His presence. If you want to feel close to God, intentionally set times aside to pray. When the plans begin to change, you will be at peace.

–Keep your mind clean – Just because adults can view it or listen to it doesn’t mean you need to. Be discerning and be vigilant to guard your mind. Your mind is a camera, and every word and image is inside your brain. Jesus tells us to love Him with our minds. You will be better able to love Him with a clean mind.

–Exercise and care for your body– We tend to feel better about ourselves when we do this. Giving in to every indulgence is not useful for building yourself for service to Him. Discipline and self-control are all close to God’s heart. He writes about the body in His word. It’s essential, and you will be ready for any new plans coming when you care for your body.

–Love the Church – Beavers stay in groups and care for one another. God has given us the church body to love and serve. Attend your local church, serve your local church, love other believers. Live in unity with every believer.

– Be weak – God cares, and He can perfect those weak and faithless places in you. Weak people depend on God. Our faith hangs by a thread sometimes. He is your dearest friend and loving Shepherd. Humbly seek His help and ask Him to make your faith strong.

The next time you sense your life is about to change. Consider how you will respond. Ponder one of God’s most unique creatures, and have a winning response. Success in life is when you walk hand in hand with Jesus. Faithful to Him.

The beaver is prepared. It ends up with shelter, an efficient way to get provisions, and a fun and safe place to play in the water away from predators. Jesus is our shelter, our safe place, and He desires us to live in the joy of His presence.

God is the God of ‘right now.’ He doesn’t want you sitting around regretting yesterday. Nor does He want you wringing your hands and worrying about the future. He wants you focusing on what He is saying to you and putting in front of you … right now. Priscilla Shirer

©Valerie Rumfelt

*photos by Google

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Focus Up

This quote is from Corrie Ten Boom. She and her family hid Jews during World War II, and Corrie and her sister Betsie were imprisoned in concentration camps. Even in the horrible conditions, they told many there with them of the love of Christ. Once released, she went on to have a worldwide ministry sharing God’s love.

“Do not be worried and upset,” Jesus told them. “Believe in God and believe also in me. John 14:1

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

How to focus up:

Follow Jesus’ example and get alone with God. Sing, pray, write scripture, read scripture. This doesn’t have to take a long time, a few minutes will transform your perspective and the Holy Spirit will comfort you, give you peace, and a way forward.

©Valerie Rumfelt

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Why I Meet With God in the Morning

How do you feel when you are out alone and discover your phone battery is low and you didn’t bring a charger? While this happens to all of us occasionally(or maybe just once, a lesson learned), none of us like to feel vulnerable and detached from those we love.

The lack of readiness and vulnerability the above scenario alludes to is how I feel when I miss my morning quiet time. Of course, there are mornings when it isn’t possible because, occasionally, life happens, something out of the ordinary like an early flight, a medical procedure, a hospital stay, and a variety of other situations.

Think about your typical morning routine. Do you wait until the last snooze to get out of bed? Is having an occasional morning quiet time all you expect of yourself? Maybe no one ever challenged you when you were a new Christian to set aside time every morning to spend with God.

Why am I writing about meeting God every morning? Because living life intentionally is important. Mornings are important. Your morning routine, or lack of one, can change your life. One sets you on a successful, Spirit-led trajectory—the other results in a sluggish, unfocused drift. Meeting with God first changes my life. Meeting with God first before you accelerate into your day should be a priority for every Christian. Over time this excellent habit will change your life.

Lamentations 3:23 proclaims that God’s mercies are new every morning. We hardly know this when we rush to leave the house. We cannot run on automatic and expect to see God working in our lives. The Bible says that God loads us daily with benefits(Psalm 68:19). Our spiritual eyes are alert to see all He gives us on any given day when we spend time with Him each morning.

My phone illustration reminds me I want to stay connected to the Source. I want to be connected to God through reading His word and prayer. I want to absorb His Word and use His Word to pray for His desires over my life.

My relationship with God is first. My relationship with God is a friendship, and friendships require time and investment. But this relationship is not like meeting a friend you haven’t seen in a while and catching up on things. Not at all. The all-powerful, all-knowing God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, your soul rescuer, your Redeemer, the One who died for your sin and is alive today to be your Helper and Comforter, He is the One you meet. The One who provides you everything you need to love and serve Him on earth, and to keep you faithful because He is faithful(Hebrews 10:23) until He comes again.

That old quote about we become like those whom we keep as our company is true. We become like our closest companions. My dearest companion is Jesus. My first priority of the day is to meet with the One who saved my soul. I Corinthians 15:33 says, ” Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.'” “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20). I will become more like Jesus as I spend time with Him.

Today, I’m writing to persuade you to consider adjusting your morning routine to include a morning quiet time in your home before you leave to begin your day. Even if you have to change your alarm, sacrifice a little, and wake up before anyone else in your house, I can testify that this is one habit you won’t regret. Solitude, alone with God, is transformative.
Just getting to this point, I’ve given so many reasons! I could name a hundred. But here are 5 reasons I meet with God in the morning:

I get to meet with God, the Creator of the universe who loves me. Like the music director said in Psalm 42:2, … “When can I go and meet with God?” The author of this statement longed to meet with God. If you don’t have that longing. It’s ok. Show up. And one day, you will. Meeting with God each morning gives me time to worship, let go of worries, and strength to wait on God’s plans. It also gives me comfort and guidance to start taking His steps into a new day(Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 37:23). Truly, God’s Word is a lamp and a light(Psalm 119:105) showing me the way.
The Bible tells me sinless Jesus often went away for prayer and to be alone with the Father. It stands to reason that if Jesus needed to meet with God, then we who are sinners need to meet with God(Mark 1:35). How can I take up my cross daily and follow Jesus if I don’t look to Him at the beginning of each day(Luke 9:23)? Jesus gave me an example in His life that I can follow.
Philippians 2 urges me to imitate Christ. Surrendering and choosing humility are settled in my time with Him. My wrong thinking, bad attitude, and rebellious spirit dissolve and lose their hold on me as I confess my sin and let His Spirit reign in me. God changes my heart, and it needs it every single day. Any real change in my life comes not through a rushed or skipped time with God but through self-examination, cries to be changed as I pray scripture and pour out my heart, and worship to the only One with transformative power.
Jesus promises to be with me always, but when I choose to meet with Him, I sense His presence. Through the Holy Spirit, He responds to my willingness and provides all I need to follow His plan in this quiet time. I get to gaze upon His beauty, majesty, and splendor(Psalm 27:4). I would miss this joy if I were in a rush, flying down the road to work.
I need the Lord. My time with Him brings me emotional and spiritual health. I need the spiritual protection of Ephesians 6 to stay alert to the devil’s schemes. When suffering and trial come, the investment I’ve put in to meet with God pays off because I can trust God. Meeting with God equips me for the day that He knows all about and that I know very little about. The Lord desires me to grow up in my salvation( I Peter 2:2). These few reasons I’ve given here can’t be achieved in exhaustion at the end of the day or midday rush. I often meet with God throughout my day or even at night on my bed. Those are extra times, not the main time. If every day is a trip, then I need to consult my Guide before I take the trip.
BONUS REASON: “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.” John Bunyon
The above quote might be a one-sentence summary of this article! Having a morning quiet time has nothing to do with works unto salvation. God has a plan. We are Christians. Jesus told us to follow Him, which means He is the Leader. A leader is a first position, meaning you meet with your Leader first. Intentionality, a desire to understand God’s plan, and a desire to get a sound mind before heading out into the dark world are intelligent actions. Learning to lean on Jesus and longing to hear from Him bring honor to Him and spiritual reward to your life. I know myself and need the Holy Spirit to change, transform, and prepare me to go out in the dark world. I must take spiritual responsibility for my life. Jesus already did the work of achieving my salvation. The very least I can do is meet with Him. Why not start a new, life-long, redemptive, results-driven habit to meet Him every morning?

“My quiet time is not a gift I give to God.
My quiet time is a gift God gives me.
I don’t offer him my quiet time. I simply offer him my time, my self. He’s the one who provides the quiet spirit.”
― Emilie Barnes, Fill My Cup, Lord… With the Peace of Your Presence

©Valerie Rumfelt

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The Ultimate Love Letter

Don’t let Valentine’s Day get you down. If you are a Christian, you have the most incredible love letter in your copy of God’s Word. Any moments you choose today to spend with the Lord in His Word will pay off. I can’t tell you how He will bless you specifically, but I know He will.

Our emotions can get the better of us on days like today. God’s Word brings calm and peace, and the correct perspective. Valentine’s Day is of this world’s system. While it can be a delightful day to express our thoughts toward others, ultimately, as Christians, we live for a world yet to come, and we serve the One who loves us most. So let’s get started on reframing this day if you are struggling.
Have you sometimes memorized Scripture or you’ve thought of memorizing but have yet to?

The Bible tells us that Scripture is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path(Psalm 119:105). Joshua 1:8 says to meditate on Scripture day and night. Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. Its theme is the Word of God. The Bible advocates for a Christian to engage with Scripture as a regular part of life intentionally. So to encourage you to engage God’s Holy Word and find joy in making that choice, here are a few ideas. If you have other ideas, please leave them in the comments.

Have a morning quiet time every day – Whatever plan you choose, show up faithfully to meet God in His Word each morning.

Write Scripture – Peace will come to you while you are doing this. It doesn’t matter if you have pretty handwriting. The motion and very act of taking time to write Scripture sends a message to your brain to slow down and pay attention. And the reward is being aware of the Holy Spirit in your life, the meaning of the scripture, and a calming, pervasive peace.

Listen to a Bible app while you do anything – Driving, doing chores, on your lunch break, going to sleep. You will hear things you’ve never heard before, which might lead to further scripture engagement.

Memorize one verse – If you have a morning quiet time, then you are coming across some amazing passages. Choose one and write it in a notebook. Say it, write it, as often as you can.

Meditate on Scripture – What does this look like? Scripture writing is a meditation activity, but you can sit and read a passage. Read it aloud, read it silently, write a poem about what you’ve read, talk to God about what you read, make up a song from a passage, or just spend time in the Word.

Type out some scriptures – After this, press the read-aloud function in the review tab of your document menu- close your eyes and listen to everything you typed.

Read a Proverb every day of the month – Then write the proverb. Then choose some to memorize.

Do word studies – Find all the words in the Bible about a topic using a study Bible. This could lead to other activities interacting with Scripture.

Record your voice reading Scripture – Send it to your children, grandchildren, or a friend.

Pray Scripture – If you need some extra help in your prayer life, add scripture. This can be praise passages, repentance passages, asking God for transformation in some area of your life, reading passages that describe God, and thanking and praising Him.

Here’s a post where I give ideas of ways to engage scripture https://valerierumfelt.com/2021/01/06/trust-and-hope/

Psalm 119:11 says, “I will hide God’s Word in my heart that I might not sin against thee.”

Memorization is an excellent discipline I do, have done, and would encourage for you. And memorization is what I believe the Psalmist is referencing. But there’s not a verse I know of that says one will have instant recall years later of any memorization. Hiding God’s Word means, by some supernatural means, the Holy Spirit is working the Word deep inside you. The Word is transforming you. David believes it will help him to sin less. His desire to please God is paramount.

I look at Scripture as medicine. It is healing, transforming, peace inducing, soaking me in truth, making my mind healthier, flushing old patterns of sin, digging up embedded lies, and softening my heart.

It is mental health, heart health, emotional health, and yes, I believe the one who is interacting with Scripture regularly has a fountain of youth that has nothing to do with wrinkles but with winsomeness, a sparkle in the eyes, and a general peaceful countenance.

Scripture is powerful, and this is backed up in Scripture in Hebrews 4:12, as Paul describes Scripture’s supernatural ability. But most of all, scripture is a treasure. It is God’s Word to us. He loves us, and we get to know the One who loves us through His Word.

Memorizing is an intentional way to get the scripture in your heart. But instant recall is not the goal. If you memorize a verse or passage and over time you can’t repeat it. Don’t be discouraged. Rejoice because the Bible tells us it is in you. It is hidden in your heart.

image by Unsplash

I’ve heard people say over the years that whatever you memorize will be there when you need it. That can be true; it has been for me in some cases. But often, I wonder why more scripture doesn’t pop into my mind in challenging moments or times. But whether it springs up or not, this I do know, it is in me. It is transforming me to be more like Christ and is doing all the functions I listed above and more. That I do believe.

Memorization seems like a spiritually profitable practice to me and one I believe will bring eternal change in your heart. Why not use this Valentine’s Day to spend some time with the Author of the Ultimate Love Letter. Let me hear from you in the comments. And Happy Valentines Day!

©Valerie Rumfelt

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The Solution to Everything

Sometimes, certain Christian music can land on my spirit in a way that shows me how close the Lord and His Spirit are to me. A song that focuses on the character of God and His love for me transcends past my self-protected shield and targets the softest places in my heart. Does this happen to you too?

Yesterday on social media, a national speaker recommended a song. It caused me to research it. Then watch it. The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sings, “I Love the Lord.” Their soulful style pierces the depths of me, cuts through my shame and guilt, and affirms my love for the Lord. Praise His Name.

The song was written in the 17th century by Isaac Watts. And when I wonder about that era of time, what was going on then, I conclude, as Solomon says, “nothing new is under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). That means nothing is new, nothing. The same human nature has existed all this time, and Isaac, for whatever reason, was making a claim that, in spite of this fact, he loved the Lord.

The test of the Christian life is loving the Lord through the hard and challenging times. Each challenge can purify our hearts and make us more like Jesus, or we can choose to allow bitterness to creep in and like a tarnished, silver spoon, be unusable and dull.

If we long to be faithful to God, we will learn through it all to love Him, not the outcome of our problems. We let Him mold us, and we learn how to keep fellowship with Him through spiritual disciplines, instead of keeping Him at a distance. We learn our need for Him is far greater than whatever our plea is at the time. It is His love, His character, and His faithfulness that help us in our weakness and temptation.

We learn as Habakkuk proclaimed in his suffering, “yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:18).

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For me, as I continue through all the bumps and bruises of life, the unexpected disappointments, the spider webs in my face situations that I can’t get rid of, I realize I still love the Lord. I have learned that loving the Lord is no longer my challenge but is my solution to everything.

I LOVE THE LORD

I love you, Lord; you heard my cries,
and pitied every groan;
Long as I live, when troubles rise,
I’ll hasten to your throne.

I love you, Lord; you bow your ear;
you’re ever good and just.
Then let my heart feel no despair!
Your power has all my trust.

If you behold me sore distressed,
you bid my pains remove;
I’ll turn my soul to you, my rest,
and witness to your love.

Isaac Watts 1719

I love the Lord because he hears my voice
and my prayer for mercy.
Because he bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116:1-2
©Valerie Rumfelt

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The Security of the Believer

I remember pedaling down our street and my daddy holding onto my bike seat. The training wheels had come off, and here we were, working together to take it to the next level. Now, I can’t tell you if I was hollering, “Daddy, let go!” or, “Daddy, don’t let go!” I just know my daddy was right there running and exerting all the encouragement he had to release me into the world of childhood biking. I worked with him while wondering if the bike would continue on wheels or if I and the bike would end up sprawled on the asphalt.

Later I would make more memories of me careening down hills without holding the handlebars embracing my play life on wheels. My daddy knew those days would come, but I didn’t. Perhaps he thought, ” I don’t want to let go of my sweet girl.” Who knows? But to this day, it is a vivid memory of growth and faith, and dependence on my dad.

Now while that’s a sweet memory of my dad holding on to me, his power was limited. He couldn’t hold me forever. He had to release me, and I had to have faith that I was going to stay up on those wheels. My faith was in my dad and my ability, both limited.

But when you become a child of God, that means you placed your faith in God. God. Omnipotent. Omnipresent. Omniscient. God.

He is not going to let you go, not one time. As a fact, He can’t. It is not in His nature to be faithless. (2 Timothy 2:13) . When you ask Jesus to save you, He saves you and keeps you. It is His responsibility to hold you forever. He will not let you go. You can rest in His powerful work in your life at the point of salvation. The triune God, the Maker of heaven and earth, is faithful and will never let you out of His hand(John 10:27-29). You can know He lives inside you forever if you’ve asked Him to.

It is not necessary that you continue to ask Him to. He is God, and He is able to keep you(Jude 24). Anything you think you might contribute to your salvation, you don’t. You received Him by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and there’s no work you can do to keep Him. He is keeping you. He did the work on the cross, and if you are His child because you have decided to be, then He is keeping you now.

If in a season of doubt, take some time and write the verses listed below and repeat them, memorize them, and pray them back to God with confidence and thanksgiving. Peace and confidence will be restored in the person of Christ, the One who saved you.

One side issue: If you are in a season of disobedience, this can cause you to doubt your salvation. As you grow in your faith, your behavior won’t trigger you to question your salvation. You will learn to trust Him. You will remember your salvation does not depend on you. You will discover your faith is in the person of Christ, not your changing feelings. But you should confess your sin to Him if you feel distant. It is always we who move away from God, not Him from us. He wants to have full, restored fellowship with you, and sin gets in the way. Confess your sin immediately, and walk in obedience again(I John 1:9).

Be sure you have time with God daily, preferably in the morning. This gives you the time to confess your sin, reflect on who He is, get solutions to your problems, build the faith you need to let God do His work in your life, and give you the strength to obey Him.

So whether you are a new Christian or one in a season of doubt, or you’ve been a Christian for decades, here is a list of verses you can put your hope in, memorize, write down, pass on, or hand them out to your Sunday school class, small group, or someone you are working with.

I John 5:11-13 – And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
John 1:12 – Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God –
John 10:27-29 – Jesus answered, ” My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
Jude 24 – To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without finding fault and with great joy.”
Romans 8:38&39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

*If your thoughts are not doubts but conviction and an invitation by the Holy Spirit to accept Jesus by faith, then read the link below for more information.*

Let me know your thoughts.

Are You On Your Way to Heaven?

Walk in the Rain

Walk in the rain that turned to storm

Some avoided this morning’s norm

No one out; the metropolis quiet

because of pounding rain, but we desire it.

Why out in the rain and not at home?

Did we not get the memo, stay out of the storm?

We knew the report, but we wanted to worship

So off in the rain we went to the church house.

Why walk in the rain when you could drive?

We couldn’t drive in our situation at this time.

Maybe a taxi, but it didn’t come to mind, 

so off in the rain our hearts sublime.

The destination worth it, the puddles unavoidable

Around each one we tried but wet was our stride

The pastor made comment of the weather amid,

“…also, a wonderful, dry room to worship in.”

How grateful he was and so were we

If work had called, we’d on time be.

So why miss assembly and worship a tree

Yes, a storm is on us, but we are free.

With lungs to breathe air, and eyes to see,

ears to hear tapping of wet moisture on me

It seemed such joy to be able to worship

A little rain, or a lot was not to disturb us.

Never should keep us from gathering or deter

So go to church, and be on time as it were.

A privilege that not all in the world can embrace

Be a Jesus freak, run and stay in the race.

The worshiping assembly is a joy of the Kingdom.

Make it a habit but not an agenda.

Don’t be one of those with no good reason

Go to church, worship Jesus, and live life in season.

2022

²⁴And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, ²⁵not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

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The Practice of Prayer

If you are a Christ follower, then you know that spending time with the Father through Bible reading and prayer is not a legalistic exercise, but you cherish this practice; it is life to you.

As carelessly as some followers approach reading His Word, there can often be little attention given to prayer unless in a crisis. A Christ-follower can engage with God through the power of His Holy Spirit in prayer. If you only go to God when something immediate is wrong in your life, then you are no better than the characters on a soap opera. I used to watch them, and characters prayed only in a crisis to a god they didn’t know. So, how do we keep from being or becoming people who only pray in crisis?

Expect results. Prayer is a discipline. I know that sounds like “eat your vegetables,” but to get out of “crisis mode only” with prayer, you will need to practice. Now that is not to say you can’t pray at other times. You can pray all day long, anytime. But praying as a choice is necessary to learn how to pray effectively.
Expect to hear from God. We all fear that God might speak to us in our prayer, and we aren’t sure we want to hear what He has to say. But once you pray intentionally, you become fearless. Your faith strengthens and you are willing to accept any instruction, comfort, or guidance He gives. Even if something is hard to hear, you can pray about it.
Expect better relationships. Prayer keeps you honest before God. It stands to reason that if you are honest before God, your relationships will get more honest, and more peace will be produced in your life. Every relationship problem may not be solved, but you will have more peace.
Expect to use the Bible in your prayer time. Use the scripture you read earlier in devotions. Or find a passage particular to your situation. Praying scripture is a submissive choice to agree with God that His Word is true and true for you.
Expect answers to your prayers. God honors those who honor Him and He is waiting to hear from you. The more you pray, the more answers you will get. He will answer prayers that are for your good and His glory which is directly connected to His will for your life.

None of this means that you’ll be spared suffering. God is not a genie. But a fervent prayer life will sustain you in suffering. True followers of Christ will suffer in this life. That is theologically based right out of God’s Holy Word, but your prayer life will give you strength and wisdom for each trial.

Do you need to get on your knees?

I choose to get on my knees because something supernatural happens there. It’s a humble posture; once again, I have no trouble thanking God for who He is. Praise comes out of my mouth easily. I confess my sins. Isn’t this what you’d expect to do in prayer? It goes from being a stiff “have to” step in my quiet time to a desire to know Him and enjoy His presence.

I hope these tips will encourage you to enter into God’s presence with expectation and gladness.

“True prayer is a way of life, not just for use in cases of emergency. Make it a habit, and when the need arises you will be in practice.”

Billy Graham

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