Pray So Hard

Sometimes God answers our prayers immediately, sometime it takes a while, other times he doesn’t answer at all – or at least in the way we were hoping for.  I use to see prayer as a last resort – horrible, I know.  Through this journey I’ve been on God has shown me that prayer should be the first thing I do.  Don’t call all your girlfriends and vent, don’t start text messaging and surely don’t try and analyze things on your own.  What a timesaver that became and a good way to let go and let God.

After watching the movie War Room I felt super convicted.  I came home and realized the journal I had used this year had ended with an entry from when I got my new job.  The following page was blank.  I read the journal which began January 2015 through July 2015 and found myself sobbing. Through reading my prayer journal, I saw how God had answered my prayers and how He got me through such a rough time.  He used the situation to help me grow and after the lesson was learned and my character was sharpened, He answered the prayer and propelled me to where He wanted me to be. The realization had kicked in and in many ways I saw how I got what I wanted and then bounced so quickly.

That day I committed myself to staying consistent in prayer, consistent in my relationship with God and dedicating the rest of the journal to prayer not just for me and my problems but for those around me. I became inspired by the movie and created my own prayer board, gratitude board and answered prayer jar. 

I got my supplies from Etsy and Michaels and quickly turned into Ms. DIY!

Having this front and center of not only my eyes, but my family’s eyes has been pretty amazing.  We all write our prayer requests and stick the notes on there.  When I go back and reflect, I take down the ones that have been answered and put them in my answered prayer jar. 

If you want to make your own prayer wall, check out the links below for supply information.

Answered Prayer Jar – As prayers are answered, drop them in the container so that you can go through them and be encouraged as you’re reminded of all that God has done through your prayer. **Collect the prayers throughout the year, and when you gather for New Year’s Eve, you will enjoy seeing all that was done that year!

Prayer Board – The ideas are endless.  You can use this to write down your favorite verses, list out your prayers either by dry erase board, chalk board or post its.  I use pins to post mine!

Gratitude Board – Another board with endless ideas.  List out verses, post pictures, items such as a receipt to that new car you’ve been praying for, a doctor’s report clearing you of illness, your first check stub at the new job you were praying for, etc.