How to pray for His promises

I think God would like this year to be a year in which many many of His promises come true in your life.

So here’s how to receive them. It’s easy! I learned this last year and began to test it, see if it works. It does. Now I feel God wants me to make it my simple daily routine.

1. Step one, make a list of promises you are sure God has made for you. Make lists for anything else you want to help – your church, your family, your close friends, your country.
2. Step two, write each promise line by line and phrase each promise as if you’re thanking Him for His promise and you trust Him to bring it to pass.
3. Step three, take time each day to read through your list, thanking Him. Try it for just one week and see if there are any changes. My life turned around and I didn’t even keep it up for more than a few weeks.

So you might write:

Thank you Lord that You promised me that You’ll do XYZ in my life. I know You’re working on it and Your words don’t return unfulfilled to You.

Turn each promise into a one line prayer of thanks that He’s onto it.

Well, some people treat God like a vending machine. They read the instructions and insert the right coins and press what they want. Out pops the item. That’s the ‘faith laws’ group.

It’s not how Jesus did it and it’s not relational towards God.

So why does this work?

In the bible Jesus tells the story of the sower. He said God sows the words, but the enemy comes to steal those promises. So are your promises stolen? Jesus then explained that the seed grows in good and receptive and obedient hearts. That’s a heart which – like a child – simply delights in what his/her Dad has promised, and the child thanks the Dad for it.

Another bible verse that comes to mind is, how can two walk together unless they are agreed? So just agree that He can and will do what He said.

I once said, this is so pointless. Why pray for things He can andc will do? God showed me a picture of a Dad throwing a yellow ball to a child. He asked ‘why throw a simple ball to a child?’ I replied ’so the child throws it back’. Exactly! Dad’s around the world do this because they love to interact with their kids. It’s not about the ball, it’s about the relationship.

You see, God can do ANYTHING. He made the world. There is no limit to His ability. Jesus showed that.

So why does He ask you to catch the bright yellow promise and throw it back? Because He is relational.

So then we can understand what Hebrews 11 is all about.

Because of faith (insert biblical legend) did something very demanding and received the promise.

Years ago God said to me, through trusted brothers, that He has someone specific for me, and I’d have to wait 5 years for my wife. He said that I’d have to say NO to many suitable women in the interim. Because of faith, I’m still waiting.

It’s a daily and weekly and monthly struggle. My journal is full of doubts and arguments about why I’m nuts and this is impossible. But… my faith wins out. I remain patient. I pray for her. I walk by my faith, not paying attention to what I see in my life.

Had I decided not to follow my faith, I’d have gotten remarried to some gorgeous dish long ago! If I did that, I would not receive the promise He promised. So I discipline myself and throw the Bright yellow ball back to my Abba saying:

Lord, I know You have promised that You have one specific person for me. I know Your words don’t return to you unfulfilled. I know You will prepare us both and brings this to pass in Your timing. Thank You Lord.

God is not a faith vending machine. It’s not about “laws”. He is our Abba and He loves us. Make a list of His promises. Thank Him that He is faithful to do what He says. Then keep your faith and don’t walk away. Stay in there. He will do it. Patience!