Remembering what you've Prayed for

Aren't we all delighted when God answers our prayers? I know I am. But what happens when we have forgotten what we've prayed for?

Let me explain what I mean. Several years ago, I was going through a particularly difficult situation. Coming out of it was hard but it was a decision that I had to make. I knew that in my own strength it was a lost cause, so I looked to God. I prayed really earnestly one particular night. It was a desperate plea as I walked head first into my situation planning to take the bull by the horns. God came through for me that night and I walked away slightly damaged but no worse for the wear. However, three weeks later, I was a total mess. I was crying, asking God why He didn't work things out differently or why he didn't change the things in the situation instead of pulling me out of it completely. I was a royal mess. That's when God reminded me of that night when I prayed. He had answered my prayer exactly as I prayed it because in that moment when I prayed, my heart was most desperate and I was the most honest with myself. See, when we have had a chance to think about certain things, we tend to try to tailor or prayers to something that we can comfortably handle when that may not necessarily be what we need.

God reminded me of that day years ago because today I'm praying for something similar. I giggled when He reminded me that in about two weeks, I would need to remember what I prayed for today. God hears our prayers when they are in their most honest form and He answers them. Don't let depression or desperation or simple distraction from the enemy cause you to renege on God and question an answer to a prayer that YOU prayed.

Sometimes we really do know what's best for us, we just have to be honest with ourselves about it. Don't develop amnesia and forget what you prayed for when you realise that a thing you really liked is gone. Trust God to do His job because He always does it right.

Have a blessed day!

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Joana James - Author of From Redemption to Maturity, Trusting God with your Future,   Nightmare at Emerald High & Alana and Alyssa's Secret & Finding Romeo 

Praying without Ceasing

What does praying without ceasing mean? Does it mean that you spend every moment of every day for the rest of your life locked in a prayer closet somewhere praying your heart out? Nope. It means that your life must be one of constant prayer. That means consulting God should be a regular part of your life. It should be as automatic as panicking.

When something bad is about to happen to you, like say for example, you're about to get hit by a truck, you don't stop to think about your next action, you don't weigh the pros and cons, you don't take time to determine if the truck will really hit you or not, you simply move out of the way, it's automatic. When you life is threatened, your panic switch flips immediately. Your prayer life should be like that, automatic.

When you wake up in the morning, God should be the first person on your mind, and even if the time you set aside for your devotions is not in the morning, there should still be a desire to say hello to him, much like you desire to say hello to your spouse or the rest of your family.  Prayer should be your first reaction to everything, you should be so tight with God that talking to him becomes as normal as talking to your best friend.

Praying without ceasing does not require a locked closet door, just lifestyle of prayer. Make prayer the first thing you do in any situation. Make prayer a constant part of your life and before long it will be something you do without even thinking about it.

Joana James - Author of From Redemption to Maturity,   Nightmare at Emerald High & Alana and Alyssa's Secret & Finding Romeo