“I love the LORD because he hears and answers my prayers. Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!” Psalm 116:1-2

My friend, Jenny, emailed me a few weeks ago with several questions about prayer. Prayer is an area of her faith walk that God has been challenging her in, and the longing of her heart is to grow in prayer. I answered some of her questions last week, and here are a few more of her questions and some of my thoughts about them. You can listen in on our conversation.

Jenny: In what ways do you personally listen to the Lord?
JET: God has always connected with me very intimately in his Word. You can see this by picking up any of my Bibles. Verse after verse are underlined, circled or highlighted. There are notes and dates and comments on many, many pages. It is another “journal” of my life’s journey.

The man who founded The Navigators, Dawson Trotman, used to encourage his young friends and fellow Christ followers to freely claim promises God gave them from the Old and New Testament. So from the beginning of my walk with God I saw the Bible as God’s Word - to all of us, yes. But it has also always been God’s personal word to me. When I need guidance, or a special word or encouragement from God, I press into his  Word.

Praying the Word back to God is, I believe, the most powerful kind of prayer there is.

The Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide. He is at work in our spirits to cause us to understand and hear God’s word to us. The Bible shows us that God has spoken to his people in different ways – through angelic visitation, through dreams, visions and his prophetic word. I believe he can and does communicate in those ways today. We get the blessing of having his settled Word in the Bible as his Word to us too.

We each hear God best in a particular way. However you find that sense of connection with God, it is strengthened and made more sure by spending time talking to him, worshipping, and reading the Bible. When I find a place of peace and assurance, I know that God has spoken to me. Look for that same kind of assurance and peace as you talk to God.

Jenny: How would you encourage a younger person in their prayer life?
JET: I think you are doing just what you should do, Jenny. You are asking, seeking, looking for insight and light on prayer. God will surely honor your teachable heart.

I read once that prayer is the thing that church people talk about the most, and do the least. I tend to agree with that somewhat cynical sounding statement. Don’t wait to pray until you know how to pray. Pray, and you will learn to pray.

I always encourage people to find like-hearted people to pray with. The prayer partnership is a source of accountability for each in the group, and you can nurture an atmosphere within your fellowship that builds your faith as you see God answering prayers for each other. I also believe that the prayer of agreement (Matthew 18:19-20) is very powerful. Jesus promises: "I also tell you this: If two of you agree down here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them."

A huge source of help has been books. I read any books on prayer that I can get my hands on. The best ones I feel, are those with lots of scripture references to back up the principles the authors are teaching. I read books about prayer with my Bible open and look up every scripture reference. I actually pray through the book, asking God to teach me, and change me into a passionate intercessor, and prayer warrior.

I still get discouraged at my seeming lack of progress in hearing God’s voice and praying with faith. But I know that God has been patient and faithful through the years to me. As I continue to press in to his heart, I know he won’t give up on me. So to those of you who are younger, or are just beginning your prayer journey – hang in there. Communication with God is sweet, it is essential, it is life giving, it is crucial. You need it, the world needs it.

Dear Friends,
The prayer in the Fresh Bread sidebar this week is actually a poem from the December 19th entry in “Streams in the Desert” by Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman. “Streams in the Desert” is a classic devotional book that remains one of my all time favorites. My copy was printed in 1925. No, I am not that old, I got it years ago at an estate sale!

Mrs. Cowman dedicated the devotional to her husband, Charles Cowman. I don’t know the whole story, but he became ill while they were on the mission field and they were forced to return to the States. Her devotional book was forged in the fires of that adversity as he battle for health.

Be blessed this week, friends. God go with you!

Still Praying,
Joan Tyvoll
Norwegian Ridge Retreat

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Marilyn Blumer  - RE: Mrs. Charles E. Cowman   |Mar 05, 2010 "Mrs. Charles E. Cowman worked as a pioneer missionary with her husband in Japan and China from 1901 to 1917. When Mr. Cowman's poor health forced the couple to return to the United States, Mrs. Cowman turned her attention to caring for her husband until his death six years later. Out of Mrs. Cowman's experiences and heartbreak arose STREAMS IN THE DESERT." --STREAMS IN THE DESERT flyleaf, 1997. Reply 0   0

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