prayer.

things i have learned about prayer:
- whether it feels like you're talking to the ceiling or not...pray. pray without ceasing. be honest with the Lord. it won't always feel like someone is listening, but cling to the truth that your Father is listening.
- pray big prayers, for nothing is impossible with the Lord. 
- writing down prayers works really well. it keeps you focused on what you're talking about and you can look back and see what was important to your heart years from now.
- keeping a prayer journal is a difficult discipline, but one with much blessing. seeing how the Lord has answered prayers in your life is concrete proof of His faithfulness.


things i am learning about prayer:
- the fall has made prayer difficult. it is not easy, and don't believe Satan's lies when he tries to convince you that something is wrong with you because you struggle with prayer. it's a discipline.
- when praying, don't focus on prayer....focus on God. 
- prayer isn't about feelings and experience. it is about getting to know God....learning about His character and heart.
- if God is wise, He won't always give us what we pray for because we don't know what is best for us.
- prayer is a great way to love someone. the Lord is the changer of hearts and lives, and with this knowledge, we should pray for those around us. and when you promise to pray, you have to follow through.
- prayer is the only way to make ourselves better in a way that really matters.
- pray with a willingness for God to work in your life.
- listen when you pray. be still.
- praying for something keeps it in your mind & heart. 
- get out of your room. get out of your house. get out of your places of comfort. have a place that is yours and the Lord's alone. 
- when you don't feel like taking time for the Lord in your day, that is when you need it most. and when you do make the sacrifice on those days, the Lord is faithful to bless your time with Him.



"prayer is not something you always feel. it's not a voice you always hear with these ears. it's not always an insight that suddenly comes to you in your little mind. God's heart is greater than the human heart. God's mind is greater than the human mind. God's light is so great that it might blind you and make you feel like you're in the night."
[thank you, Lord.]