How do you pray when you pray? Not in terms of what you do, but how you approach God in prayer. Do you come with expection? Do you put your faith in God alone? Do you listen while you pray for God’s response? Do you ask Him for wisdom?

This is what we read in James 1:

James 4 also tells us that we need to have the right motives when we pray for something, and to approach God with humility. He also gives us a beautiful reassurance:

Finally, James teaches us about the power of prayer in chapter 5, encouraging us to pray at all times, and to strengthen the church – God’s people – by supporting each other in prayer:

We encourage you to keep praying in your walk with Jesus. Talk to Him, ask Him for what you need, and listen in expectation for His answer. Sometimes, God provides an answer right away, but at times it might take longer. Sometimes, God does not give us what we ask for because we don’t have the right intentions, or what we are asking for is not right for us. Sometimes, some things are not for us to know; but we trust in God’s sovereignty and wisdom. 

Above all, as Jesus taught us to pray, we pray that God’s kingdom come, and His will be done on earth and in our lives. (Matthew 6:12)

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