Why Pray? Perhaps this title is a little disturbing if you know me. So, let me explain… (If you were raised liked me you may already know where I’m going.)
Growing up, I don’t know if there was ever a period of time where I wasn’t in church. Many of my earliest memories are from being, or doing something church related. There’s a southern gospel group called the Canton Spirituals, whose song I am reminded of called, Mama Drug Me. The lyrics go something like this: “Mama drug me to church, mama drug me to Sunday School…I’m so glad mama and daddy drug me.” When I first heard this song, I thought it was quite comical. After completely listening to it I realized that it was a song of gratitude about being led into the right direction, and I could totally relate. I remember the long trips out of town to attend church services. I would be in the car sitting in between my mom and dad in the front seat while my brother and sisters were piled up in the back. Boy, did I ever love riding in the front seat eating my dad’s certs (small peppermint- like mints) like it was candy. I also have memories of revival services, or being wrapped up in blankets to sleep while my parents held all night prayer services. I can’t run from it; my faith and prayer is a big part of my life and is the very essence of who I am. These are very fond memories in which I am most proud of because this foundation has helped to shape me into who I am today.
Now, there is a scripture in the bible which states, when you pray it is very important to ask for what we need in prayer and wait on an answer (Psalms 5:3). Adopting this as a lifestyle is critical. However, there are times when we must get up off our knees and go to work. We’ve all heard of this popular scripture, faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Having faith for a God-given idea, vision, or dream to be accomplished in your life simply means stepping into action towards what you may not clearly see with your natural eyes. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). There’s another quote which says prayer is the key but faith opens the door.
So, now it’s time to step into action! You might ask yourself, “But where do I start?” I believe I can help you with that…start with the 3 P’s (Plan, Prepare, Pray).
One of my favorite ways to plan is through setting aside time to journal. I use a journal to write down and record thoughts, ideas, or even dreams I had during the night. I’ve learned that many of my dreams, visions, and ideas are inspired by God, especially when they are accompanied after prayer. I’ve realized, I’m just not that smart on my own. When you get ready to act on a vision it is important to set small specific goals and deadlines for them to be accomplished. Some people do not like to journal, but I find it absolutely necessary in bringing a dream to a reality. The beauty of a journal is that you’ve got the entire journey recorded, hopefully in great detail.
The Second P, Preparation, is critical and I believe it may be the most abused of all the 3 P’s. Many of us have desires, dreams and visions that will not come to pass unless we do the proper planning mentally, emotionally, and physically. I encourage you to read about Esther, the Jewish Orphan, who became a Persian Queen by choosing to courageously take a stand for the herself and the Jewish people. Before this took place, Esther found favor with Hegai the king’s eunich who was in charge of the virgins. Before a young woman’s turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics (Esther 2:12). When her cousin Mordecai shared Haman’s plot to kill the Jewish people, Esther fasted for 3 days and 3 nights and instructed her people to do the same and was victorious. The perfect timing and preparation are central themes throughout this chapter. There was 12 months of preparation before she could even go before the king, and ultimately gain favor to save Israel. Esther had a choice, but decided to fast, pray, and step into action. This may seem small but Esther’s actions took bravery, for making such a request before the king could have been very dangerous in that day.
Can I share that there are so many other things that Esther may have had to work on mentally and emotionally. There are countless things that could have prevented Esther from achieving her purpose, I call these the “dream killers”. These are things such as bitterness of her past as an orphan, pride from being so beautiful, or possessing a victim mentality, etc. Instead she listened to wise counsel, her cousin Mordecai, Prepared, Planned, Prayed and accepted the call.
Oftentimes, it’s much easier to pray than to take a look at yourself and say there’s something that I need to do within myself or for myself to prepare. What’s holding you back from what you desire? If you were brought up in church, do you always wait around relying on the sovereignty of God to bring everything to pass? Do you justify your position by saying “If God don’t do it, it won’t be done”? Whose thoughts are you always sitting with? Are they ever genuinely yours or do they derive from friends and family? That’s not a crime, but it’s important to examine the company you keep and ask yourself, are any of them striving towards some of the same goals you have, and do you see any of the fruit from their labor? I’m not saying that you should never receive a word which may come from these sources. There may be wisdom in which you can glean from within these sources, but also be open to unexpected sources. Do you know someone who is winning in the area you desire to be? Do you have access to them personally, through a book or social media? Also, could there be unresolved issues that you fail to deal with through seeking wise counsel, pastoral or professional counseling? Last, but not least, have you also examined the area of pride in your life? Pride keeps us from seeing the need for correction and can ultimately hinder us from achieving or sustaining ultimate success in our life.
I’m thankful for a strong foundation of the Gospel that has truly shaped me to be who I am today. “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18) Our faith does not act alone, we must put it into action while we pray. Start with The 3 P’s (Plan, Prepare, and Pray) and you will see greater results and movement towards your goal.
Let me give you a bonus “P” that is just as important to implement throughout this process: Praise! Praise is pleasing to God, it not only activates your faith, but is a great source of encouragement while you wait for the promise. Remember, it doesn’t always happen overnight. God can do his miraculous alone, but there is truth in the saying that “God is not going to do what you can do for yourself.”
My hope is that this has been an answer to someone’s prayer. Now that you have been enlightened, you have specific steps to walk out God’s best for your life. Be encouraged! Say to yourself, “It can and will come to pass!”
Fayth Polite 