Praying it Through

Hi Friends! We are so grateful for your support through the last few weeks! Our new baby podcast is doing well, growing nicely, and we have you to thank for that!Today’s podcast made me (Christy) ask myself a pretty hard question:Why is prayer sometimes my last resort?When I’ve exhausted every option — when the plan has failed and the backup plan has failed — that’s when I realized that I finally get quiet and talk to God. But it’s not because I expect him to answer. I’m often genuinely shocked when he does.That’s a hard thing to admit. But I suspect I’m not alone.There have been times when I begged God for answers and they just weren’t there. And other times I’ve barely whispered a request and the answer came immediately. But there’s no formula for prayer. No method that “works.” In fact, it’s not really about us at all.Reading God’s Smuggler was a wakeup call for both Lori and me. Brother Andrew didn’t treat prayer like a contingency plan. It was a way of life. As natural as breathing. At times he prayed what he called “flash prayers” — a quick, under-the-breath recognition of God’s authority in the middle of difficult moments. Not a formal petition. Not a last resort. Just a constant, almost instinctive turning toward God. It’s what Paul meant when he said pray always. Not occasionally. Not as an act of desperation. Always. Philippians 4:6-7 — “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” This kind of prayer is not about a list of demands. It’s about a relationship. Like a good Father, God wants us to share our struggles with him—the anxiety we wrestle with, the hurts we harbor, and the joys we experience. We’re still learning. Still reminding ourselves to pray first. To rest in his peace and trust him with the plan.Praying with Expectation: Lessons from God’s SmugglerSummaryIn Episode Three of the Well Worn Pages Book Club, hosts Christy Miller-Bell and Lori Behrens dig into one of the most challenging questions a believer can ask: when I pray, do I actually expect God to answer, or am I living with an attitude of lack?Key takeaways:* How we pray reveals how much we actually trust God.* Brother Andrew modeled “flash prayers” — short, constant, breath-level prayers throughout the day — as a way of living out “pray without ceasing.”* Praying specifically, without dictating to God how to answer, is a mark of real faith.* Praying in teams — one person speaking, one praying — is a powerful and practical pattern.* Living in an “attitude of lack” is a form of distrust, even when it looks like humility.* God’s answers are not always what we expect, but they are always trustworthy.* Surrendering a blessing can bring more peace than holding on to it.We’d Love to Hear From You!How has God answered prayers in your own life in unexpected ways? Comment below or email us at [email protected] our next episode: How can one person make a difference?Our Next BookNext month we’ll be reading Desiring God by John Piper. “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” This simple but powerful statement has been a cornerstone of John Piper’s ministry for nearly 40 years. Laying out the principles behind this “Christian Hedonism” Desiring God has proved to be a source of rich theological insight for countless readers through the years, guiding them to the fullness of joy found in Christ.Get your copy HERE!All product links are affiliate links. Purchasing products from the links on this page helps support our ministry. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wellwornpages.substack.com