Ten Truths to Empower Your Prayer Life
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.”
My introduction to prayer came at the age of seven. I was spending the weekend with my grandmother and had slept beside her, snuggled deep into the covers. As the early morning light filtered through the curtains of her bedroom window, the sound of her whispered prayer broke through the fog of my fading sleep.
I listened as Granny prayed for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. I heard her ask for forgiveness and the power to forgive those who had sinned against her. And I heard her conclude with the soaring words, “For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever, amen.” She ended her prayer, and we rose to a breakfast of Portuguese doughnuts and juice.
In the years since then, I’ve learned much about this sacred privilege. Today, I’d like to share ten truths I’ve sought to apply in my own prayer life.
1. Prayer is a privilege.
History describes how Abraham Lincoln’s son Tad would bypass his father’s secretary and dozens of constituents waiting for an audience, fling open the door to his office, and crawl up into his father’s lap. At any time of the day or night, no matter what important business the boy interrupted, Tad knew he had immediate access to the president because he was his son.
I can’t walk into the Oval Office and strike up a conversation with the president. I don’t have the freedom to approach my governor, senator, or even my family doctor without an appointment. But I can talk to God any time I want because I’m one of His children.
2. Prayer is simply talking to God.
Sometimes we forget that God is a person—a holy and extraordinary Person—but a person, nonetheless. From the moment He created Adam and Eve, He has communicated with His people. He walked and talked with them in the garden. He spoke to the Israelites from a fiery pillar and a bright cloud. Now He speaks with us through the Bible and prayer. We can share our dreams, hopes, fears, and needs with Him and rest in confident assurance that He hears every word we say—whether fancy or frantic.
3. Prayer isn’t about saying the right words; it’s about sharing your heart.
Memorized prayers have their place, but Jesus offered what has become known as the Lord’s Prayer as a guide, not a text to be memorized and repeated mindlessly. The Bible is filled with examples of simple, heart-felt communication between God and people:
- “God, have mercy on me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13).
- “I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).
- “We do not know what to do, but we look to you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).
Thankfully, we don’t have to have a big vocabulary or pray eloquent prayers to get God’s attention. He just wants to hear what’s on our hearts. Some of the sweetest, most faith-filled prayers I’ve ever heard have come from the lips of young children.
4. Prayer is a two-way conversation.
For years I thought prayer was about me talking and God listening. Then I learned God has much to say if I stop talking long enough to hear Him speak. As with any other conversation, prayer dialogue should go both ways.
While He seldom speaks audibly today, we have a sure-fire way to hear God’s voice—through His Word, the Bible. If we want to know God’s will, we can find clear direction on the pages of Scripture. Combining prayer with Bible reading creates the ebb and flow of dialogue that characterizes any good relationship.
5. Prayer isn’t designed to change God’s mind.
For many years I assumed I had to pester God into giving me something He wasn’t inclined to give. I thought if I badgered Him enough, he’d change His mind and give me what I asked, like a kid pestering his mom for a cookie before dinner.
I’ve learned, however, that prayer is less about changing God’s mind and more about changing mine. The glorious line from the Lord’s Prayer, “your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” captures the essence of how we should pray. We should invite God to do His will in every situation. I’m still free to share my (limited) perspective and desires with God in prayer, but ultimately, if I trust Him as my heavenly Father, I will want His good and perfect will to be done in every situation.
6. Prayer is powerful.
Through prayer, God has given us the ability to invite His mighty power into even the darkest situations. Scripture records how prayers offered in faith and humility have opened prison doors, conquered cities, healed the sick, and raised the dead. Modern day prayers have released persecuted Christians, brought salvation to pagan towns, and protected God’s people from evil forces. As the angel told Mary, “Nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).
7. Prayer is a Christian’s secret weapon.
In 1962, an outcry arose from believing parents when the United States Supreme Court ruled that prayer in public school was unconstitutional. Although public schools are still allowed to have a “moment of silence,” organized prayer can no longer take place in classrooms. Thankfully, no court can take away a Christian’s ability to pray. Because the Holy Spirit lives within us, we can talk to God whenever and wherever we are. Sitting in a public-school classroom? Pray. Standing before a hostile group of unbelievers? Pray. Alone in a hospital room? Pray.
8. Sin can hinder our prayers.
The psalmist said,
If I had been aware of malice in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened. (Psalm 66:18)
His observation reminds us that we’re less likely to pray the kind of prayers God is pleased to answer when our relationship with Him is at odds. When we’re disobedient, we tend to avoid prayer conversations and hesitate to ask Him for help. Or we ask for things we shouldn’t ask for.
Just as sin affects our fellowship with each other, it also impacts our fellowship with God. The good news is that He graciously forgives us when we confess and forsake our sin (1 John 1:9). When we learn to recognize and confess sin immediately, we can develop effective prayer lives.
9. Prayer helps us fight fear.
Paul taught the Philippians how to battle fear and anxiety. “Don’t worry about anything,” he wrote, “but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6–7). Learning to bring our concerns to God in prayer whenever we feel fearful gives us a powerful strategy to control our emotions and tap into God’s power.
10. Prayer grows our faith and trust.
When we pray, we discover God is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives and delights to answer our prayers according to His will. Watching God work through prayer helps us learn to trust Him, and our faith grows.
My grandmother’s whispered prayers opened the door to my lifelong pursuit of God. Prayer has helped me grow to love and trust Him. I hope these ten truths will help you as you also to grow in faith and trust.
