Microscope on the Gifts List 4…

4. Pray more

There’s a lot more involved than prayer. Studying God’s word helps me to be more open to His voice and helps me recognize it when I hear it. Said voice isn’t something I’ve ever heard out loud, but I’ve heard the gentle whisperings in my heart. Sometimes, inspiring things have come out of my mouth that I know aren’t from me, and I usually can’t remember much of what I said afterward.

I’ve received impressions to do things, talk to people, not go someplace, and I endeavor to listen. Sometimes, there’s an obvious reason, but sometimes there isn’t. I do my best to follow anyway. I’m not sure when God is protecting, guiding, or simply training me to listen.

The movie War Room made an impression. I want prayer to be a front lines part of my life instead of the fall back position I’ve kept it in for most of my life.

I have a little notebook in which I list names and needs. I star the ones that are answered and the date. I don’t remember to use it often enough. I’ve purchased a prayer journal. I want to apply what I’ve learned in Battle Plan for Prayer by the Kendrick  Brothers.

I don’t have a war room of my own, a room devoted exclusively to prayer. However, I’m endeavoring to create a war spot. I’m posting my notes on the closet door. I’ve attempted to put deadlines, and it’s been useless and discouraging. I’m making small changes in the hopes of finding what works best for me.

Prayer is an opportunity to communicate with God, to tell Him how much I appreciate Him, to thank Him for all my blessings, to share my concerns, to ask forgiveness, to ask for what I need. It doesn’t change God; it changes me. It helps me to align my will with God’s. He loves me and wants what’s best for me. Sometimes what’s best isn’t pretty by the world’s standard. God doesn’t see as the world sees. God’s vision extends throughout eternity. I want who and what I am to glorify Him, not because He needs it but because it’s my destiny if I choose it.