Pray Like This
Prayer is simply an honest, ongoing conversation with God.
Jesus tells us that God knows what we need (Matthew 6:8), but He still wants us to come and tell Him what’s on our minds. He's a good Father who cares for us (Matthew 7:11). He wants to speak into our circumstances, comfort our hearts, and shape our perspectives.
He loves giving good gifts to His children—gifts they want, long for, and ask for. But sometimes, what we want isn’t actually good for us.
When Jesus says in Matthew 7:8, “Ask, and it will be given to you,” He isn’t saying that we will get everything we ask for...
God cannot—and will not—give us anything that contradicts His character. God will only give us what is good, and sometimes a “no” from God is the response we actually need. But He still wants us to bring Him all our desires, and if we ask for anything that aligns with His will, He hears us. (1 John 5:14)
So how do we discover God’s will?
We spend time with Him.
The more we get to know God, the more we will understand His character. And it’s only when we understand His character that we will ask for things that align with His will.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 7 are a promise that when we ask for God, He gives us Himself. When we humbly seek God, He finds us. And when we come to Him as we are, He welcomes us with open arms.
When we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. And when He draws near, He transforms the way we think, renews our minds, restores our souls, and leads us down paths that are for our good and His glory.
In my own journey of faith, I have found that prayer is less about ticking off a wish list and more about deepening my relationship with God. Sometimes I come to Him with urgent questions or big dreams, and other times just to find peace amid confusion. What really helped me was realizing that God wants us to be honest about our struggles and desires. The effort to keep asking God to soften hearts and seek His direction, as mentioned in Matthew 7, made my prayers more intentional. I make it a habit to pray not only for myself but also for my friends who don’t yet know Christ, echoing the encouragement to share God’s love and intercede fervently. One valuable insight I gained is that a “no” or a delayed answer in prayer isn’t rejection—it’s often a sign that God’s plans are better than mine. Trusting Him means accepting that His wisdom surpasses mine and that He will only give what aligns with His good character. Listening to God’s voice through prayer and spending consistent time in His presence transformed how I think and respond to life’s challenges. It renewed my mind and restored my soul when feeling weary. Remember, drawing near to God brings transformation and guidance toward paths that honor Him and bless us. Praying daily with a heart open to God’s will, rather than just our wants, invites a deeper faith experience. It helped me gradually learn to ask for what is truly good and to trust that God hears every prayer when it aligns with His purposes.
