The Power of Prayer: Praying with Purpose

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Prayer is powerful. It’s a simple statement. And one which focuses a new book from Warner Press by writer, speaker and Christian life coach Deborah Haddix.

In Praying with Purpose: Taking Your Prayers from Vague to Victorious, Haddix presents practical ideas for your prayer life, ways to creatively motivate and guide you in prayer, and suggestions on what to pray. She opens pages in with this strong observation: “When you pray for your loved ones, you unleash eternal impacting power upon their lives.” Those words were enough to make me, a life-long Christian, pause and rethink prayer. Wow, that’s some power.

Whether you’re a long-time prayer warrior or a novice, you’ll find ideas to grow your communication with God as you seek His will in your life and those of others. Haddix is ready to help, laying the foundation of prayer as a powerful tool from God. She clarifies, though, that “God is not a magic genie...prayer will not always change our circumstances. But...prayer does change our attitude toward our circumstances when we recognize that the Lord is with us through tough times as well as easy times.”

She’s right. Too many times I’ve prayed and despaired that God did not immediately answer my prayers in the ways I wanted. Too many times my prayer life slacks when everything is going great. Haddix assures that even if we don’t see changes, God is working. He is in control. Not us. She encourages intentional, specific and committed prayer. And she explains how to get there.

In a section on prayer methods, for example, she suggests hands-on ways to improve your prayer life from the more common prayer journal or list to praying in color. Referencing another author, Haddix defines the color concept in a practical visual of picking up colored pencils to doodle focused (name) art as you pray for someone. For creative types like me, that artistic approach is appealing.

Another idea that I hadn’t considered involves praying Scripture. Haddix cites Psalm 91, Ephesians 3: 14-21 and other biblical references to use by inserting the name of the one prayed for into the verse read. Her book is rich in Scripture.

This prayer champion also lists ideas for praying for anyone from spouses to children to grandchildren, friends, pastors and more. I appreciate her comment that “Prayer also closes geographical gaps.” As a mother with a son living and working in Boston, far from my Minnesota home, I value prayer for its God power and as a way to help me remain connected to my loved one. Haddix writes, too, this reminder: “...your primary prayer for each one should be that they will come to realize how much God loves them.”

My prayers shift with needs and circumstances. For example, I recently added a prayer of protection and good health for my eldest daughter and her unborn baby, due in January. Likewise, I am praying for three friends’ daughters and their unborn babies. Haddix shares the importance of telling others you are praying for them. That, she says, shows them they are valued, strengthens relationships and encourages hope.

As a grandmother of one, soon-to-be two, I noted the section of this book which speaks to grandparents about modeling prayer by praying with young children. Haddix writes: “The most valuable legacy any of us can leave is a godly legacy. Our heart’s desire should be that we are remembered as someone who loved God deeply and pointed others toward Him.”

While loved ones and friends are most often the recipients of our prayers, Haddix emphasizes praying for those outside our close circles. I already follow one of her suggestions, that of praying whenever I hear an ambulance, which is often given I live along an ambulance route. And recently my church family initiated prayer walks around the neighborhood, another example cited by the author. I hadn’t thought, though, of praying for people I see at a retail store. It’s something simple I can do while waiting in line.

Praying with Purpose provides practical information for growing a deliberate and faithful prayer ministry that unleashes eternal impacting power. Read this book to strengthen your prayer life as God’s power and provision flow through your prayers.

Audrey Kletscher Helbling

Audrey Kletscher Helbling sets aside time most mornings to read devotionals and to pray. That period of reflection and prayer creates a peaceful mood to begin her day. Audrey admits, though, that she isn’t the most patient person, thus struggles with waiting for God to answer prayers, in His time and way, not hers.

September 12, 2018 | View: 2375 | Categories: Products, Christian Life