Prayer

Talk to God believing who He and that He cares.

Follow the pattern of prayer that Jesus laid out in Matthew 6:9-13.

Another pattern is to start by 1) praising Him for who He is, 2) confess your sins and trust our Lord for full restoration, 3) make your requests known to the Father, and 4) end with thanksgiving.

Other tips.

Jesus said,  “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)

Pray relationally.

John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

I.e., if you abide in Me, and if My words are influencing you, then ask whatever you wish that flows out of this relationship and God will do it.

Actively trust God is relationally attentive to you. God says to cast your cares on Him knowing that He cares for you. Trust this as you pray. Trust is intimacy. If you don’t trust this, it may feel you’re talking to yourself.

Tell God what you want. Too many believers think we are not supposed to tell the Lord what we want. But do not be too proud to share your needs with God. This is what Jesus did; the early church, too.

So express your dependence and ask God for what you need! This allows Him to respond and love you.

Afterward, continue to pray and listen. And when our Lord answers, however it looks,  give Him permission to lead you. That’s where power shows.

This interchange of grace and submission defines an abiding relationship.