Life can be challenging, and many people have problems that they cannot handle on their own. People with no religious practice have fewer places to turn when they are in distress. They must rely on their friends and family members to help them through their issues.
When people of a spiritual nature encounter difficulties, often their first instinct is to pray to a higher power. Reliance on God can lessen burdens and make a person feel as if their concerns are supported. Prayer has a unique power to help people heal through difficult times. Akintayo Emmanuel, Overseer of God’s Remnant Assembly, has assembled these five ways in which prayer can help to transform a person’s life.
1. Answers to Prayers
When people pray, they can be assured that God is listening to them. God takes each one of our concerns seriously and helps us navigate difficult times. People make their requests known, and God answers in different ways.
God’s answers must be found in the events of our daily lives. Sometimes God will answer “yes,” sometimes “no,” and sometimes “not yet.” Prayer is not a magic method of getting what you want. God will decide what is best for you, and there may be blessings in disguise when a prayer is not answered with a “yes.” People need to be patient with their faith and not to give up when they feel like their prayers go unanswered. The most important tenet of all religions is faith in a higher power. Keep the faith, and God will help you in every way possible.
2. Be Thankful
When praying to God, a person needs to be thankful for the blessings God has already given them. An attitude of gratitude is helpful in restoring a person’s positive outlook on life. God needs to know that we are thankful.
God will, of course, listen to a prayer that is given in the extremes of life when a person is not thinking about their previous good fortune, but it is best to focus on gratitude. This will help you put your current problems into perspective. For example, if you are having difficulty with a child who is not obeying his or her parents, be thankful that you have a healthy child and a loving family.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Pray for Small Blessings
Just as Jesus prayed to God for “our daily bread,” don’t hesitate to ask God for the basic needs in your life. While many people believe that prayer should be saved for life-changing circumstances, no prayer is too small for Him. Regular prayer for the small things in your life builds a good habit of keeping in touch with God and can help you live with intention.
4. Ask for Forgiveness
When you ask for forgiveness for your sins, large and small, God will be compassionate. Be sure that you are conducting all areas of your life with kindness and integrity. If you are not conducting yourself in the best way, ask God to forgive you and then do the sometimes-difficult work of adjusting your own attitude toward life.
5. Rely on God for Strength
When life is challenging, you do not have to face it alone. Let God shoulder the burden and do your part by honoring His name. You can rely not only on God but also on your brothers and sisters in faith. Through God’s will, your friends and loved ones can help you bear life’s difficulties.
Prayer Works
The most important thing to remember about prayer is that it works. Akintayo Emmanuel reminds everyone that asking God for blessings and thanking Him for the good fortune you have enjoyed doesn’t end when you are satisfied with your life. A lifelong relationship with God will help you weather any storms that come your way. Remembering these five points about prayer will help you shape your mindset toward God.
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