Unlocking the Power of Prayer
When we face challenges, it’s natural to turn to prayer for comfort and guidance. But have you ever been told that praying too much can actually focus your attention on the problem rather than the solution? This misconception couldn’t be further from the truth. Prayer is an incredible opportunity to invite God into our lives, bringing hope and healing to even the most difficult situations.
Prayer as a Deposit of God’s Character
Dutch Sheets, author of Watchman Prayer, beautifully describes prayer as a “deposit slip” – a way of depositing God’s character into our lives. Rather than simply presenting God with a list of requests, we can focus on His character, reflecting on His power, majesty, love, and care. By doing so, our perspective shifts, our faith grows, and peace settles over our hearts.
Focusing on God’s Character in Prayer
So, how can we apply this principle to our prayer lives? Instead of presenting God with a “blank check” of requests, let’s focus on depositing His character into our situations. For example:
- In difficult circumstances, thank God for being the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end of all things. Ask for His wisdom and presence in the situation.
- In trying relationships, thank God for being the Sovereign Lord, who sits enthroned upon the circle of the Earth. Ask Him to bring His love into the relationship and arm you with strength and wisdom.
Trusting in God’s Character
As we focus on God’s character in prayer, we begin to trust in His goodness and sovereignty. We can deposit faith in His attributes, just as Romans 15:13 encourages us to do: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
By shifting our focus from our problems to God’s character, we can experience a deeper sense of hope, peace, and joy in our lives. So, take a moment to reflect on God’s character and deposit His goodness into your prayers today.
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