Christian Prayer That Moves God's Heart - Part 2

We will discuss the second part of this topic: how to build a proper prayer life so that God's heart is moved. You can read the first part here.

It is hard for us to change our perspective. My wife and I were raised with different perspectives on many things. In the early years of our marriage, one of those perspectives nearly made us divorce. It was how we peel vegetables. Peeling with a motion away from the body or toward the body? In the end, we found the solution. We bought our own peelers. I peel with a motion away from the body (the right way), and my wife peels with a motion toward the body (the wrong way, if you ask me). Jokes aside, some attitudes do not need to be changed, but some absolutely do. It will be hard for us to have a healthy prayer life if we are unwilling to change our hearts and minds.

In the first part of the article, we focused on the idea summarized by Spurgeon: “Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscle of the Almighty.” How should we pray? Our first point is to see that prayer will be more satisfying if God is our focus. What will be the second point?

Prayer will be more satisfying if we are willing to change

I am not sure whether prayer always changes God's mind (because He is almighty), but I am sure it changes our thinking. Take Jesus as the example. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane that His will would be the same as God's will, “yet not what I will, but what You will.” Mark 14:36. He was changed and strengthened (able to suffer to the very end on the cross) “and because of His godly fear He was heard.” Hebrews 5:7

How should we do it? Follow these three steps:

1. Ask for the right heart. “and sustain me with a willing spirit!” - Psalm 51:12
2. Surrender your problem to God. “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act” - Psalm 37:5
3. Believe that God's answer is the best for His kingdom and for you. “To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul” Psalm 25:1

Charles Finney wrote,“Prayer brings about change in us, and that causes God to do something that He would not do when we have not yet changed”. In other words, we are only wasting our time if we think that God will work when we are not ready to change or take part. In effective prayer, say, “I am ready to be involved in whatever it takes for this prayer to be answered.” Let us be sure that we are ready to be changed and used by God.

We will discuss the final point in the next article.

Questions:

1. What keeps you from being willing to follow God's desire?
2. Is there something you realize God is asking of you, yet you are resisting it?
3. What is the source of that?
4. Do you have a strategy for facing that challenge?
5. What will you do differently in your prayer life?

Yours in Christ,

Malcolm

*Church GKDI is currently in 35 cities. We have Bible Study activities in every area; if you need information or would like to get involved, contact us at contact Church GKDI Official: WhatsApp 0821 2285 8686 or Facebook / Instagram GKDI Official

Related article: A Guide to Christian Prayer According to the Passage 'The Lord's Prayer'