Grace to Pray

These are crazy times we are living in. But as Daughters in Christ, we have the incredible opportunity to see His prophecy fulfilled. And that is why it is so important to engage with spiritual disciplines.

Not only are people looking for answers to life's most complicated questions, but they are looking for the light. For a way, security and hope.

Meanwhile, as they try to figure it out, we have a loving God using His Church to help show them the way.

Learning the Art of Prayer

I never can quite grasp the understanding of those who are good at prayer. I mean, do we ever really get good at prayer?

I believe that it comes down to one thing: the understanding that there is always something to learn about how to communicate with God.

Who in your life is the person you go to because they know how to get a prayer through? And how did they become gifted in prayer?

We must understand that those people have chosen to be passionate about prayer.

One key to this is acknowledging that the spiritual practice of meditation goes along with prayer. And while it doesn't replace prayer, it does get your inward posture set for admiration, gratitude, and meditating on the goodness of God. So when we align in this space, it is easy to transition into prayer.

My Prayer Journey

My prayer journey is one that many wouldn't expect. It is the one spiritual discipline I struggled to cultivate because each time I prayed, nothing would ever happen! 

Can you see it? Here I am, the First Lady, and at almost every church gathering, I would silently pray, "Please, Lord, don't let anyone call on me to pray, don't let anyone call on me to pray…." 

However, I learned very quickly that practice makes perfect, and if I could learn to pray, you can, too! It's a process, don't give up! 

A woman who struggled with infertility asked me to pray that she would have a baby. As I proceeded to lift her up, my heart was relentlessly racing, and my fear that God wouldn't answer my prayer was heavy on my mind.

But shortly after, she shared her testimony with the church. And she said this: "You know, I am infertile, and I have been struggling with it so bad. So I asked First Lady to pray for me, and nothing happened, but I have so much peace!" 

Be encouraged; our prayers carry weight and are effective. Regardless of how they come to fruition!

Leaning Into His Presence

The truth is that life is filled with distractions, to-do lists, and non-stop errands. So how do we learn to lean into God’s presence so that it becomes second nature in the hustle and bustle?

We begin implementing and practicing the spiritual discipline of meditation. We pull away from the demands of life and commit to being disciplined to the discipline.

Some of you may already be thinking, “My life is loud, fast, and non-stop. Where will I find time to stop and meditate?”

Take heart! You can pull away from the noise no matter where you are or whom you are with. It just takes practice. 

Grace to Pray

A few months later, I spoke at a women's conference in Ghana, West Africa. And if you've ever been to a church in Africa, you know that they know how to pray. 

I remember being in awe at their faith as I stood with my friend, Joyce, who was a prayer warrior that changed my life. These women reminded me of Joyce when she prays, so I said, "Joyce, I wish I could pray like you! I hate praying because I feel like God doesn't answer me."

She laughed and said, "Trina, you have to pray for the grace to pray."

And she was right; if you pray for grace, you will learn to pray.

What Does It Mean to Pray For Grace?

Psalm 40:11, ESV says, "As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and our faithfulness will ever preserve me!"

Asking God to give you grace will make all the difference. It is asking for His favor and loving-kindness towards us.

Because of the Lord's goodness, I now have people all over the world asking me to pray for their infertility. And when I pray, people have babies!

How about that? Something that embarrassed me in the beginning, God is using to help many families birth generations!

If you are praying and not seeking results, don't give up. Instead, ask God to give you the grace to pray, and in doing so, God will answer.

"Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified n the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

John 14:13-14, ESV

I have a friend who can pray for an hour by herself, and I never quite understood how. She later shared that she can visualize in her mind what she knows God wants to do. She doesn't just say it; she declares the vision in her mind and her spirit, intentional and specific. 

The world needs these kinds of intercessors—those who know God and how to pray prayers of declaration, vision, and light. 

And as you are intentional with the process of learning and working at it, passion-filled prayers will follow.