How to Pray with Confidence

Dear Friends,

In 1929, the Coca Cola Company introduced an advertising slogan that is still used today: “Coca Cola: The Pause That Refreshes.” As Christians, we have access to the real Pause That Refreshes — prayer! As we continue in our study “40 Days of Prayer,” we look at “How to Pray with Confidence.”

During a small group study, I was surprised to learn how many people, because of difficult experiences with their earthly father or mother, have trouble relating to God as their heavenly Father. Until we understand the character of God, we cannot trust him, and our prayers may be more self-talk than a conversation with our Lord, a talk that can refresh us and brings us peace.

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)

Pastor Rick Warren identified four characteristics of God that can help us pray with confidence:

God is a caring Father. God loves us more than any earthly mother or father ever could. We find promises of his unfailing love in both the Old and New Testaments.

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” Isaiah 49:15

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation [not even ourselves] will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

Do you only pray about the big things in your life? Anything that is big enough for you to worry about is big enough for God to care about.

God is consistent. God’s love is based on his character, not your performance. How often have you heard a child say, “But Daddy, you promised?” Earthly fathers let us down, but God never breaks a promise. That doesn’t mean that he’ll give us everything we want. He gives us everything that is good and in line with his perfect plan.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV)

Even when we are too weak to have any faith left, he remains faithful to us and will help us, for he cannot disown us who are part of himself, and he will always carry out his promises to us. 2 Timothy 2:13 (TLB)

God is close. God is not an absentee father. He is only a prayer away.

I WILL NEVER [under any circumstances] DESERT YOU [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], NOR WILL I FORSAKE or LET YOU DOWN or RELAX MY HOLD ON YOU [assuredly not]!” Hebrews 13:5b (AMP)

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up, you are still with me! Psalm 139:17-18 (NIV)

God is never too busy for you. He’ll never say, “Don’t bother me; I’ve heard that before.
God Loves to meet your needs. God is Jehovah Jireh – the Lord who provides.
God is sympathetic to your hurts.

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8

God is competent. Are you being bold enough in your prayers?

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

When we see God as our caring, consistent, close, and competent spiritual Father, we can pray with confidence. And what can we pray for?
We can pray that any obstacles in our life be removed.
We can pray that love will increase.
We can pray that hearts will be changed.
We can pray that God’s greatest will be done.
We can pray with eternity in mind.

Today, let’s pray that God will guide us to take that “Pause That Refreshes,” as we walk prayerfully through the day.
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ