"He told them a parable to illustrate that it is necessary always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1).
Of all of the things that I long to be "good at" in life, I want to be "good at" prayer. I want to be a prayer warrior of the sort that makes hell quiver in fear and causes heaven to stand to its feet in joyful applause. How I deeply desire to live in that influential place of heartfelt communication and sweet communion with God!
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:6-7).
I know that I know that I know that absolutely nothing eternal is accomplished on earth without the power and the focus of a simple saint who is committed to the discipline of prayer. I believe with all of my heart that prayer is the vehicle through which the greatest work of my life will be done. I know it. I believe it. I desire it.
"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you will have them" (Mark 11:24).
I defiantly refuse to believe that prayer is a waste of my time; I will set my resolve and I will pray on when absolutely nothing changes in the landscape of my life. I will pray in the dark of the night and when the towering mountains of circumstances minimize my value. I will pray fiercely when the howl of life's storms threatens to drown out the volume of my solitary and desperate prayer. I will pray loudly in the face of sickness and of pain; I will never stop begging for God's sweet presence to heal and restore.
"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17).
Honestly, prayer is the only power that I have been given this side of heaven.
" Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, for we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God" (Rom. 8:26-27).
I will wear out the carpet beside my bed with the pressure and insistence of two middle-aged knees whose resolve has been set. Nothing will move me from winning the resounding battle that takes place in this victorious, yet often uncomfortable, position! Nothing will move me!
"Then you shall call upon Me, and you shall come and pray to me, and I will listen to you" (Jer. 29:12).
I resolve to arise in the morning with worship in my heart and with a prayer of power on my lips. I will choose to pray rather than to worry as I fold laundry, dash to the grocery store and answer emails. I will lay my head down at night with the determination that any day is a magnificent and meaningful day that has been given to prayer.
"Therefore we always pray for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling and with power fulfill all your good desires and works done by faith" (2 Thess. 1:11).
My calling is to prayer; it is my life's work. Prayer is my vocation, my avocation and a delightful and fulfilling hobby.
When I pray, my desires are fulfilled in Him and not in the magical change of situations, circumstances or events. When I pray, there is a mighty work that is done in me; it is the work of faith and power.
When I pray, Jesus in glorified in me and I am glorified in Him; when I pray, His grace is lavishly dispersed into my corner of the world.
I have learned, through the course of my life, that you don't have to be "good" at prayer for prayer to be "good" in you. I know, now, that in order to be "good" at prayer—you just have to mean it. And I do mean it. I mean it very, very much.
"Therefore pray in this manner: Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen" (Matt. 6:9-13). 
Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women's conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written eight books, including, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart, Defiant Joy!, Holy Estrogen!, No More Ordinary, Refined, Joy For All Seasons, Let There Be Joy! and Pass the Joy, Please! which releases on February 1, 2018.Her teaching DVD, The Rooms of a Woman's Heart, won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming. You can also listen to Carol's "Jolt of Joy" program daily on the Charisma Podcast Network. Connect with Carol or inquire about her speaking to your group at justjoyministries.com.
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