PRAYER: What? Why? + Where do I begin? 

Don’t know what to say when you go to pray?

I get it. I’ve been there too.

But really, it’s as simple as can be.

I’ll get you started.

Just say…

“Hi God, it’s Me…”

In a time where we are in need of prayer more than ever… I honestly think we so overcomplicate it.

Maybe it’s just me, but have you ever felt not equipped? Like when you’re asked to pray out loud, or when you tell someone you’re gonna pray for them… but you totally forget, andddd it never happens?

Yeah. I’ve been there too.

As intentional as we are with keeping up with the newest social media trends (like Treads LOL) or making sure we keep our nails filled, our hair touched up, or all caught up with our favorite shows…

We should be all the more intentional with what trullyyy matters most.

Loving God.

And loving His people.

And with Loving God AND people… How can we love someone we don’t even spend time getting to know? We’ve gotta interact with them! We have to know what’s going on in their lives, by sharing what’s going on in ours, alongside knowing what they like, + what they don’t. & this comes from a little time + vulnerability + intentionality!

IF IM HONEST…

Before having a true friendship with the Lord, I only came to God if I was in a pickle, or reallllyyy wanted/needed something.

I never came to just… hangout.

What about you??

Friend, if you grew up in the Church, or even you’re a new believer of Jesus, PRAYER is such a churchy word that is so very commonly thrown around. But have we never stopped to really think about what PRAYER is?

In its simplest form…

Prayer is… a two way conversation between YOU & God.

Where you actively participate in sharing your life with Him while also listening to Him through His Word, and by His Spirit.

Prayer is… a miracle! Where you break through the natural and step into Heavens Hotline, having direct access to The Creator of the universe. Your Heavenly Father.

SoooOoOOo why should we pray?

Let’s be honest. We NEED help. Heaven is home, but here on earth… it’s a little crazy. As we know, allllll sin and fall short of the glory of the Lord, so we making mistakes is a part of the journey. Some mess-ups are private. Some become more public than others. Some are small. And some are way bigger than others. And as we try to navigate this adventure we call, “life” well, we need something greater…SOMEONE greater to help us.

REALITY IS…

We have a Heavenly Hope.

We have someone who understands.

Jesus.

As Jesus walked this earth as our perfect example, showing us that He is the Way the Truth, and the Life, and that no-one can come to the Father except through Him… Jesus displayed His Kingdom here as He walked with His homies, (the disciples!) As they journeyed from town to town—they. saw. it. all. From the blind seeing, to the deaf hearing, to demons being legit cast out, to 5 fish & 2 loaves feeding 5,000 people… they saw what was impossible, become POSSIBLE right before their very eyes because of JESUS.

The Savior of the World. The One who walked with them, talked with them, taught them… but also then hung on a cross for them, and rose three days later.

Oopppps, I hope I didn’t spoil the story for ya (LOL!)

We serve this Risen Savior!

BUT! Out of ALLLL the incredible things He did while on earth, there was only ONE THING the disciples actually asked Jesus to teach them…

Nope, it wasn’t to do a miracle, or multiply food.

The disciples actually wanted Jesus to teach them HOW to pray.

In Luke 11:1-2 we read about this…

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come…”

I love that it doesn’t say IF.

Not, “if you pray”

But WHEN.

As God’s girls, we SHOULD be praying. We SHOULD be talking to God to strengthen this friendship with Him!!

SISTERS + FRIENDS.

When I got real with God, He got real with me.

And I hate to say that it had to get to this point… but something happened to a friend.

When I was in college, one of my besties told me she had gotten taken advantage of at a party. I was devastated. As we sat on the couch, I froze. I didn’t know what to say, or do.

At this point in my walk with Jesus, I didn’t even feel confident enough to pray out loud over someone, so… I just gave her a big hug.

As I made my way from the living room back into my little shoe box of an apartment, I remembered a movie I had recently seen. Maybe you’ve seen it. It’s called, “War Room”. It’s about how a prayer strategy saved a hurting family. This precious older woman faithfully prayed in her closet. Up until this point in my life, I did NOTTTT have a walk in closet. But here, in this tiny apartment, I did.

Somehow my feet made their way into the closet, and I shut the door. And I sat. & ever so brokenly, I called upon the Father with such honesty. I was so sad I couldn’t really do anything to fix this situation. I needed someone higher. I needed Him. I needed Heaven. I needed God. So I wrote a prayer out for this friend on a notecard, and then I stuck it on the wall. Then after my sleeves dried my tears, I got up.

And everyday since then, I have prayed in my closet.

I’m no longer in college, nor living in that apartment, but praying in brokenness on the behalf of another believer built my relationship with Jesus deeper.

I pray our hearts would be broken and built by what breaks & pleases His.

And we find out what He loves and what He doesn’t through spending time with Him in His word, and in hanging out with Him. HONESTLY coming.

I never thought I’d have the chance to share my very own prayer journey with you. Honestly sis… that wasn’t on my radar. But GOD, am I right?!

I am so excited to share with you my VERY FIRST devotional, “Hi God, it’s Me: 20 Days to a Stronger more Powerful Prayer Life” releases ONE WEEK FROM TODAY everywhere books are sold!

The most important thing to me is your relationship with Jesus.

Keep on talkin to Jesus. He wants to hear from you.

You’re His girl!!!

Love ya so much,

-GB