Be Specific
By Marilynn Chadwick
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” —Philippians 4:6 NLT
Back in high school, I enrolled in a martial arts class. Our training included hand-to-hand free sparring. I was in a class with all guys and easily outmatched. Yikes! I remember the instructor coaching me to “use my opponent’s size and strength against him.” In other words, I was to channel the attacker’s force into a powerful counter-attack. To my surprise, this strategy worked!
Sometimes when I feel assaulted by fear or worry, it's easy to feel outmatched. But I’ve learned a little secret. If I redirect the powerful forces of fear and worry into a fervent, specific prayer, it’s like a one-two punch into the solar plexus of the enemy.
I shared earlier how one of my prayer heroes, Charles Spurgeon, encouraged believers to “Turn your cares into prayers.” One thing is for sure: The devil hates our prayer.
A friend recently referred to me as her prayer coach. I guess it’s true. I am passionate about “coaching” others to follow hard after Christ. To read his Word daily. To persevere in prayer.
I want to encourage you to believe that your prayers DO make a difference! Both in your personal world and in God’s larger world. Let’s be ALERT and SPECIFIC this week and watch God work, thanking him for all he has done. Then, as Paul promised in Philippians 4:7, you’ll experience “God's peace,” which will “guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
It's hard NOT to worry when you love people, right? Trouble knocks at our door daily. Think for a minute. What is your “big ask”? That concern which is foremost in your mind and heavy on your heart? I encourage you to shape that burden right into a specific prayer.
Lord, I pray for ___________. Specifically, I pray _________. I believe that nothing is impossible for you. I stand on your promise to do above all I could hope for or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
Meditate: Morning by morning, I order my requests before youand eagerly watch for the answers (Psalm 5:3, paraphrased).
Experience the transforming power of hearing God's voice
Hearing from God through His Word brings you life-changing wisdom and confidence.
That’s why we want to thank you for your gift today by sending you a copy of Hearing the Voice of God by Pastor David Chadwick. It’ll show you:
- How to hear the voice of God through His Word
- The incredible depths of God’s love for you
- How to develop a deeper and stronger relationship with God
- Insights and inspiration for your life with Christ
God wants to communicate with you, and Hearing the Voice of God, takes you through the Gospel of John to show you how to hear God speaking powerfully and personally through His Word.
Don’t miss all you can gain from this powerful 4-month devotional book. And don’t miss your opportunity to give below to give more people a reason for hope in Jesus.
Thank you!
For more from Moments of Hope, visit us at MomentsofHope.org.
