Relying on God

We all have a tendency to want to do things on our own.  It feels good to be in control and guide any circumstance in the direction we think is best.  But taking charge of any situation without first consulting with God is an enormous mistake.  Without God’s guidance, we will likely make a number of wrong turns before reaching our ultimate destination – if we get there at all.  We can save ourselves time, emotional pain, and frustration if we reach out to God in prayer in everything we do.  “Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer.”  (Romans 12:12)  When we place our faith in God’s counsel, acknowledging how he has pointed the way for us through difficult times, and devote ourselves to seeking his advice in all matters, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish.

Seek the Wisdom of God

It’s important when making any decision that we seek a path that will bring glory to God and benefit others.  When we are devoted to prayer, every aspect of our lives is first presented to God for advice.  “That you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”  (Colossians 1:9)  Even simple things that we are confident we can handle should be prayed over to make certain we are not missing anything God wants us to focus on.  Doing things the way we’ve always done it may not be God’s will.  When we seek God’s wisdom and understanding before acting, we can be certain we are traveling down the right road.

Come to God in Prayer

Of course, when we come to God in prayer we have to bring a pure heart.  We should start by making sure nothing is in the way of hearing His advice.  We should be ready to give ourselves over to His direction, no matter what that may entail.  We should ask God directly for anything we might need.  We should consider the Word of God as the foundation of our understanding.  We should bring every ounce of faith and trust in God to our prayers.  Then we should be ready to wait as long as it takes for the answer.  And once we receive God’s clear direction, we should be ready and completely willing to follow His guidance as prescribed.

Give it All to God

Being devoted to prayer brings peace and confidence in all that we do; however, we should not limit our prayers to our own personal needs.  God wants us to be constantly connected to him in prayer every step of the way, but he is even more receptive when we pray for others.  We not only rely on God for guidance, we also rely on God to support those who have a special place in our hearts.  God wants to hear our prayers for family, friends, and all those that we perceive are in need of His care.  “Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it was also with you.”  (2 Thessalonians 3:1)  It is the collective prayers of the family of God that help the lost feel His presence.  We can’t forget our ongoing mission to share the Gospel with the world.  Our prayers should reflect our desire for all to come to faith, and for every aspect of our lives to be guided by our loving Father in heaven.

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