Would you categorize your prayers as demanding prayers or devoted prayers? Have you thought about how your prayers might sound to our Heavenly Father?

Demanding Prayers

Looking back, I can recall seasons when one could definitely describe my prayers as demanding prayers. I remember a specific time when I was feeling lonely, weary, and weak…(cue the pity party music) and I was in desperation mode. I then told God that He needed to help me sense His presence. There wasn’t any asking involved…it was pretty much me insisting He get on board with what I wanted. And right now.

Three Thoughts

That particular demanding prayer eventually caused me to think of a few ways I could change my prayer’s tone from demanding to devoted. 

1. Pray with Humility

First, the “I’m going to tell God what He needs to do” approach is anything but humble. Who am I to tell God anything? When we come before God’s throne in prayer, there are appropriate ways to do it such as asking, requesting, or even pleading with Him for an answer. But when our prayers follow an insistent, demanding pattern, our mindset needs an adjustment. He is the God of the Universe who is more powerful and more loving than we can imagine. We need to remember that He is God and we are not. Lord, help us remember the awe with which we should approach You. May we pray with a humble tone.

2. Trust God’s Will

Second, prayer is talking AND listening to God as we align our desires with His will. He sees the whole picture and knows what is best for us and when it is best for us. However, I focused this prayer on what I wanted and when I wanted it. We forget that He is not obligated to answer us in the same way we would answer our prayers. Our way is so limited. And He is not obligated to use the same timetable. This world is extremely immediate-gratification oriented.  Lord, help us trust Your will and timing. May we be confident that You want what is best for us.

3. Focus on Truth

Third, I was allowing my feelings to dictate the tone of my prayer. For instance, I was praying about feeling His presence, but God was with me whether I felt like He was or not. Our feelings do not change the truth that we serve an ever-present God who cares about our deepest feelings and the most minute details of our lives. If we feel like He is not hearing our prayers, then our feelings are lying to us. Lord, help us not let our feelings cause us to doubt Your truth. May our prayers be grounded in what is true.

Our feelings do not change the truth that we serve an ever-present God who cares about our deepest feelings and the most minute details of our lives.

Answered Prayer

So, back to that particular prayer – God didn’t answer instantaneously, and He didn’t answer how I envisioned He would.

However, I sensed His presence and it was a strong sense! Our faithful God came through again and reminded me in a powerful way that He was there the whole time. 

Devoted Prayers

As a result of this particular day, I prayed God would help me transform my prayers from demanding prayers to devoted prayers. He deserves to hear prayers that are full of humility, trust, and grounded in truth.

Prayer:

Lord, will You please help us to increase our devotion to You in the way we think about You, worship You, live for You, and pray to You? Amen.

Lord, will You please help us to increase our devotion to You in the way we think about You, worship You, live for You, and pray to You? Amen.