How do we keep what we once prayed for?
So often enough we pray for things we desire whether it be love, forgiveness, money, a new car, a promotion, or a new job, to get somewhere on time, etc.
But once we get what we once prayed for what should we be doing to maintain it? One thing is for certain don’t ever take for granted what you once prayed for. Always give thanks to God for what you have. Another thing we should be doing is praying for discipline to maintain it and wisdom to know how to. The entire book of Proverbs is a great reminder how the beauty and importance of wisdom. One great example is Proverbs 3:13-18 “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better return than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare to her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.” The Bible refers to wisdom as “she” and this passage is saying wisdom is more important and valuable than any silver, gold, or even rubies. It signifies how those who carry wisdom are blessed and truly they carry honor.
Another great example is Proverbs 12:1 “whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” Wow this one really humbles us and calls us out, right? Well what do we take from this? Those who accept correction or criticism love to grow and improve, whereas those who do not take correction to heart lack in knowledge. We grow in wisdom as we overcome challenges and adversities. So take the opportunity to learn from those who’ve gained wisdom from life. Be willing to learn from them, whether it’s in what to do or what NOT to do.
So when we ask God for discernment, believe it when you receive it. It’s a funny feeling at first, but trust your instincts. God blesses us with intuition which we refer to as discernment. When you listen to it you’re also trusting in God that he wouldn’t lead you astray. But how do you know when it’s from God versus, your own thoughts? When it’s from God it will always be backed biblically. 2 Timothy 3:16-18 says “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lions mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever, Amen.” We see here that the Lord will never leave us, and he will give us strength and courage when we ask him. Another great example is 1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace- as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.” God does not mess around when it comes to his children, he loves you. He doesn’t like disorder and chaos, rather he brings us peace.
(More examples John 10:27, Isaiah 41:10, Romans 8:1)
So go to God through prayer, faithfully trust his will and divine timing. He will prosper you, and answer your prayers. You need only to trust him, allow him into your hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to transform you. Sounds like a lot at first, I totally get it. But take it from me as sister in Christ. Trusting in God and surrendering to him, repenting for my transgressions and sins, dying to myself, standing firm in my faith and being consistent in prayer and reading scripture has only improved my life drastically. Things I once prayed for I am living in God’s glory he’s blessed me with. I don’t say all this for my own gain, only to share the amazing love and grace our Heavenly Father has shown to me and many others. Go to him like a child, young and curious exactly as you are I promise you won’t regret it.
Stay well, and may the Holy Spirit move upon you. God bless.
#scripture #biblestudy #christian #christianmotivation #christianlemon8
Maintaining what you once prayed for goes beyond just receiving blessings—it requires consistent effort, wisdom, and faith. One practical step I've found invaluable is to intentionally ask God not only for blessings but also for the discipline to steward those blessings well. For example, if you prayed for a new job or financial increase, pray regularly for wisdom to manage your resources responsibly and avoid complacency. From personal experience, I have noticed that gratitude plays a crucial role. When I take time daily to give thanks for what God has already provided, it helps keep my heart humble and focused. This gratitude cultivates contentment, which protects against entitlement or taking God’s gifts for granted. Embracing correction and discipline also helps us grow stronger spiritually and practically. There have been moments when I resisted constructive feedback or struggles, viewing them as hardships. However, leaning into these challenges has been transformational, as Proverbs reminds us that those who love discipline love knowledge. This mindset has encouraged me to seek wisdom not only from Scriptures but also from mentors who exemplify godly living. Another key element is discernment—trusting the inner promptings that God provides to guide decisions and actions. Initially, discerning God’s voice might feel uncertain, but when grounded in scripture and prayer, it becomes clearer. For instance, intuitive warnings or peace about a choice often align with biblical principles, confirming it’s from God. Finally, consistency in prayer and scripture reading builds a strong foundation. Like training muscles, regular spiritual habits strengthen your ability to hold onto and multiply what you prayed for. From my journey, surrendering fully and trusting God's timing—even when it's difficult—has enriched my life beyond what I initially asked for. Remember the wisdom from the image in the article: 'After getting what you prayed for, ask for discipline to keep it, and wisdom to multiply it.' This principle encourages a continual cycle of receiving, stewarding, and growing blessings through faith, obedience, and spiritual growth.
