Has anyone ever said that to you? I’ve heard it countless times and each time I had a visceral response that struck the most dissonant chord in my heart. That phrase would leave me feeling utterly dismissed; especially when dealing with complex emotions or challenging circumstances. And while I knew that prayer was an essential part of the Christian faith, it seemed oversimplified and minimized the importance of listening, offering support, or taking practical action alongside prayer. (Hmmm…maybe that’s what propelled me into the world of therapy.) These were just some of the unintended consequences of telling someone to “just pray about it.”

Throughout my life, I wholeheartedly pursued the meaning and purpose of prayer. I attended seminars to try and fully grasp the concept and benefits of prayer. I read every book out there in an attempt to understand how prayer was so powerful to everyone else, but me. I heard stories of faithful warriors who fervently made their requests known to God and witness the supernatural favor of blessing upon blessing. Yet my prayers continually fell short of anything but weak attempts to fulfill a spiritual wish list.

Then one day, it finally clicked. I got to the end of myself. And there was God. Patiently waiting for me to step aside from my self-focused pleas for help and step into the sacred space where my humanity and His sovereignty would rest. Prayer became my lifeline…the source of everything. It was my oxygen. It was a point in time when the world paused for the Creator and I to meetup and just…be (insert the longest sigh of relief).

Prayer was no longer a prescription of faith. It was a place filled with the sweetest communion and the most intimate worship. It was this constant ebb and flow of pouring out my heart and hearing His. My heart became desperate to hear His voice and know His will…to fall under the authority of Heaven and His Word instead of the words of the world. This space gave me the greatest sense of peace. I had never felt more seen and heard. It was a place where I could express my deepest gratitude, confess my worst sins, pursue His wisdom, and present every imaginable need before Him. Prayer was the place where God transformed my heart’s desire toward a desire for His love, His truth, and His power.

It’s been just a handful of years since I’ve had the most robust prayer life. It’s all I want to do! I mean, who wouldn’t want to talk to God all day long, right? Being in constant communication with God has changed everything. Prayer changes everything! I am reaping all of the amazing spiritual benefits of constant prayer, while also witnessing the supernatural favor of God’s power (just ask my prayer partners). If only I had started years ago. It’s a process. And God is good. I consider myself fortunate for all the trials that came my way, because that’s what matures my faith and builds my endurance toward completion (James 1:2-4). (Good thing you can’t hear my tone in a blog.)

So, the next time someone tells you, “Just pray about it…” Just smile. Look up. And just do it! There is no better advice than that.

If you are interested in learning more about creating a prayer life, please email me at: livingwellblog1@gmail.com for more information including a free prayer journal (PDF).