The Power of Prayer

Sometimes we may get discouraged when we don't see immediate answers to our prayers. We may even feel hopeless or disappointed when it seems as if so much time has passed yet situations which we have prayed for repeatedly, appear to remain the same. It is in these moments that we must remind ourselves that "God works in ways we cannot see." Just because it may appear as if nothing is occuring in the physical realm, does not mean that God isn't working on your behalf in the spiritual realm--or "behind the scenes" of things. Isaiah 59:1 assures us, "The LORD is not too weak to save you, and He is not becoming deaf. He can hear you when you call.”
In situations where there is nothing you can PHYSICALLY do to change circumstances; Pray, and turn to God in the midst of any difficulty. The Bible tells us, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6). In the midst of our difficulties, anxieties, worries, or concerns, we are to pray and plead with God with thanksgiving and gratitude knowing that He will pull through.  Prayer is Powerful and you WILL see an answer. The answer may not come immediatley, but it will come at God's perfect timing. Don't get discouraged if it seems as if your prayers are not being answered. If you don't see an immediate answer to your prayers, remember the ways in which God answers:
1) Yes, and here's more!
2) Yes, I thought you'd never ask! ("You dont have because you don't ask" -James 4:2)
3) Yes, but wait; my timing is perfect. (Psalm 18:30, Ecclesiastes 3:11)
or 4) No, I love you too much, I have something EVEN BETTER in store for you.

God answers prayers that are in alignment with His will (1 John 5:14). His answers may not always be "yes," but they are always after our best interest. How encouraging is it to know that the God of the Universe is after YOUR BEST INTEREST! He wants the very best for you! So don't get discouraged when it seems as if your prayers are not being answered. Instead, get excited knowing God is doing a whole lot of work "behind the scenes;" and that whatever the outcome may be, it will be for your own good!
Joshua 21:45 tells us, "Not a single one of all the good promises the LORD had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true." We can trust that God's promises towards us are true. History and experience confirm it. So when you feel discouraged because your prayers don't seem to be answered, remind yourself of the ways in which God answers, and the promises He has made us about prayer: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, He hears us." -1 John 5:14

Below are some really awesome and encouraging verses on the power of prayer that you can meditate on to remind yourself the power God has to answer your prayers.

"We know he hears us when we make our requests." -1 John 5:15

"I cried out to the LORD, and he answered me." -Psalm 3:4

"Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I." -Isaiah 58:9


 "Ask, and it will be given to you seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
-Matthew 7:7

"And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” -Matthew 21:22

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." -Mark 11:24 

"Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it." -John 14:13-14

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7

Fight Jealousy with Gratitude

"Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?" -Proverbs 27:4

Have you ever come across a person who just seems to "have it all?" They seemingly have the perfect life, with the perfect friends, perfect family,  the perfect home, perfect cars, and perfect career to back it all up. We all know someone we may think has the perfect life, but something to keep in mind is that you are only seeing a small portion of how they actually live. Despite all of the apparent outter whealth, the truth may be that they really feel empty, alone, or too stressed out on the inside to even enjoy what they have. The point I am trying to make is to learn not to let jealousy get the best of you. The best way to combat jealousy is to focus on all the wonderful things in your life. If you want to be miserable, then keep comparing yourself to others; you'll never be happy. If you want to enjoy life as it was meant to be enjoyed, start by showing appretiation and gratitude for the things you do have. I love what Max Ehrman says about comparing ourselves to others, "If you compare yourself to others, you may become vain and bitter, for there will always be a greater and lesser persons than yourself."

You see, making comparisons leads to a false sense of identity and will either result in your pride becoming over-inflated, or your self-esteem completely diminishing. You can be pro-active by choosing not to compare yourself to others, as well as practicing gratitude. Gratitude, as I have learned over the years, is an extremely important factor of our mental well-being and true happiness. It makes sense that if you focus on what you don't have, you will feel bad, but if you focus on what you do have, you will feel good. Scientific studies confirm the power and importance of gratitude as well. By practicing gratitude by making a gratitude list every morning, and reviewing it every evening, you will be putting yourself in a perpetual mindset of thanksgiving and joy will overwhelm you. So instead of coveting, getting jealous, or being upset that you aren't "keeping up with the Jones,'" practice gratitude and you will combat all of those negative feelings. Practice gratitude, and you will experience a higher quality and appretiation for life and living!

"Every morning tell Him thank you for Your kindness, and every evening rejoice in all His faithfulness." -Psalm 92:1-2