Just finished the book Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challengeand boy oh boy! If you're looking for something to truly provoke your thoughts and stretch your faith, I HIGHLY recommend this book. I didn't read it in 40 days (I plan to read it again and do a consecutive 40 days) but I'm glad I took my time because it allowed me to dive in and truly put into action the different lessons. I could go on for days about all the notes I took and the things I highlighted but when it comes to prayer, there's a quote in the book that truly shook my mental. It provoked me to realize the true power God has & even more so, the power He's given us.
The author, Mark Batterson, talks about what we envision when we think of God. He went on to give some examples and a familiar one he used was the mental picture of Jesus hanging on the cross. He acknowledged the significance of that vision but it's what he said afterwards that really hit me.
He said,"You aren't praying to a God who is hanging on a cross; Jesus is seated on the throne and the earth is His footstool."
I read that sentence and tried to skim past it but I had to go back and re-read it a few times. We often treat our circumstances as if Jesus never made it off the cross. We act as though our problems can be heard but not changed. Jesus isn't still hanging hoping to convince us that He is capable of doing the impossible. His resurrection is not a question we're waiting for an answer to. He is very much alive. He is died and rose and is seated on the throne interceding on our behalf for everything we experience here on earth. So the next time you pray, think twice about who you're praying to and the power He holds. Consider what He's capable of in comparison to the petition you're bringing to Him. Remember that He is already in control, He's not still suffering! He has conquered death and our sins have been forgiven. Everything we want/need/desire is already in place, we just have to get in alignment with His will in order to receive it! Pray knowing you're already victorious!
A few encouraging lyrics from He's Not Dead by New Hope:
We never thought it could happen
Thought it was impossible
Put ur faith in something small
You can do the impossible
He defeated death
Fulfilled the prophesy
He never died
But alive for eternity
Increase your Faith! Decrease your worry! Pray hard! Live free!
-Estonia