Praying From the Heart with Confidence
STAFF DEVOTIONAL BY Wendy Harrison | Relief House Parent ON OUR Mobile CAMPUS.
I remember several times, wondering if my eldest daughter chose the right profession in college. We never want to see our children suffer, and that was what I was witnessing. I would wake up some mornings to get ready for work and find her light on in her bedroom, and she would be asleep on top of a mound of nursing books. Some days she would be crying in the bathroom, or I would find her with her stack of flash cards all over her floor and she would be asleep beside them.
One day before her final nursing exam, which she had studied for five months prior, I found myself wondering if she would pass this final test. I was sitting in my car, praying the same prayer I had been praying for two years: "Lord, please give her the knowledge and wisdom she needs to pass this test, keep her calm, allow her to recall everything she has studied . . ."
I felt as though I was not praying with confidence but with doubt. The Lord interrupted me and said, "Why are you doubting me; don't you know I have her exactly where I want her?" I began to cry and was convicted that I didn't pray with confidence, but rather, doubt! I can say with confidence today that I have a daughter who is the most compassionate, Godly nurse anyone can ever have, who is now considering becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
Now five years later, I am praying the same prayers for my youngest daughter, a sophomore in college pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy. I know the struggles will come, and it won't be easy all the time, but I now pray with a new confidence. I know without a shadow of doubt, the Lord has her exactly where He wants her, and He will direct her path.
When we feel as if worry and stress are consuming us, whether from your life or from a loved one you are praying for, I am reminded that prayer changes things and praying with faith and from the heart with confidence is how we’re called to pray.
Elijah prayed for rain during a drought and received a miracle. 1 Kings 18:45 says, “Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling . . . ” Through prayer, we draw on the power of the infinite God.
Nehemiah's heart was broken. He mourned, fasted and prayed, asking God to do something about the terrible conditions. God allowed Nehemiah to accomplish great things for his people because he asked great things of a great God and relied on Him.
Nehemiah 1:5–6 says, “I pray, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments, may Your eyes be open and Your ears be attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. . . .” May we become passionate and creative problem-solvers who bless others though our prayers.
In Mark 10:51–52, Jesus has an encounter with a man who needs healing and answers, “‘What do you want me to do for you?’ Jesus asked him. ‘Rabbi, I want to see.’ ‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”
The heart of prayer is prayer from the heart. Pray from the heart with confidence and know the Lord is listening. It may not always be the answer we want, but we know His way is better than ours.