Praying through the noise
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11
If you have a relationship with Christ, you likely understand that you cannot stand on your own without Him. We all face different challenges in life, some more difficult than others, but ultimately, we are not in control. There may be times when we feel confident, and other times when we feel like we’re losing the battle. But if you live long enough, you will inevitably face a challenge that is too great to handle alone, and you will be forced to seek God’s help.
In times of spiritual turmoil, hearing from God is paramount. His words, regardless of content, offer solace and reassurance amidst the chaos. Recognizing this, the adversary will attempt to obstruct any divine communication. However, a lack of consistent prayer can also hinder one’s ability to connect with God. Perhaps you are hesitant to ask God for help because you don’t know how to, or because you feel as though you are telling Him what to do in your life. Do you feel that you need to persuade God to help you? Maybe you lack faith that He wants to help you because you haven’t been faithful enough. These and other thoughts can quickly suffocate your desire to pray ultimately leaving you in a seemingly stranded mental state.
Dear Father,
Please listen to the prayer of my heart instead of my mind. My thoughts are full of confusion and contradiction. They do not reflect who I am or how I feel about you. I trust that you will address the root issues of my flawed thinking in your perfect timing. But for now, I need you to look past my noisy thoughts and listen to my heart as it yearns for you.
I cannot adequately explain my circumstances or offer solutions. I surrender completely to your infinite wisdom and trust you to do what is best for my life. Please accept the genuine submission of your servant as I offer my tiny mustard seed of faith, which, honestly, is all that I can give at this point in my life.
Insight
You desire help, but God desires to help you even more. While your mind may be clouded and uncertain about His plans, God is absolutely certain about the hope He has for your future.
