This past month I’ve been learning more in depth about prayer. I have the privilege of leading a small group of young women during the mid-week service at the church I attend and in this group we have discussed and shared about praying to God.

Talking about praying and actually praying are two completely different things. I don’t think we really know how vital prayer is in our lives, until there is nothing left to do but pray.

More than anything I’ve learned that there’s a certain posture you must take when it comes to prayer. It’s not what you say, but how you say it.

You must be humble yet bold. You must come with an open heart yet stand firm on what you’re believing for. Prayer, while it can be intimate and sacred, should be a time when you fight for what you believe.

One of my biggest struggles is trying to find peace. I get so caught up in the demands of life and on my own plans, that I leave no room to find peace and quiet. In times when I should be diligent to seek God in prayer, when I feel like peace has run out, I try to sweep my anxiousness under the rug.

Isn’t that exactly what the enemy would want us to do? Let our worries and anxieties get the best of us, so that we stop connecting with God.

I’ve discovered that the longer I wait to pray, the more difficult it becomes to verbalize and admit what’s going on in my heart. The longer I wait to let God in, the harder it is for me to open up.

Why must we wait to be exhausted mentally, physically and spiritually to ask for peace? I believe deep down inside we know we play a part in finding peace. We must turn towards God and quit trying to do it on our own. When we pray we remind ourselves of who God is. Prayer is a tool God has given us to discover and enjoy His peace.

Are you out of fuel? Do you feel empty and in need of refreshment? Going to a spa will help, eating some chocolate will ease the anxiousness and talking to a friend might help at the moment. But nothing can calm our hearts like praying, “God you are my refuge, you are my fortress and I can hide under the shadow of your wing”.

My newly discovered recipe for peace is to pray fervently. To me, fervently means to pray without fear. Praying with fervor means to come before God unashamed and ready to fight against the opposition with His word. The posture I’ve decided to take is that of a humble warrior. I surrender to my King, and only to Him. I won’t surrender to anxiety, worry, chaos or any other dart of the enemy. I’ll fight humbly through prayer.

“Keep me as the apple of Your eye; Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,” Psalm 17:8

“Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:8

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

How has prayer changed a challenging situation in your life for the better?

Has prayer helped you feel reenergized and refreshed? How?

What “posture” do you take when you are in time of prayer? How has it helped you connect with God?