The Prayer Paradox

This week I encountered the Prayer Paradox—does prayer drain or delight? On the one hand, prayer gives us immediate access to God, the perfectly loving, wise, strong, and faithful being in the universe. And yet, prayer is hard work, and we often don’t pray, because we’re not sure it’s worth the effort. PrayMore will never help (or even be tried) if prayer drains the soul instead of delighting it.

Please pray that God help us communicate how biblical prayer restores the soul:

• Prayer is not a transaction; it’s a child speaking to a loving Father (Matthew 6:9). Soul-restoring prayer comes from knowing God delights to hear you—not because of how eloquent you are, but because you are His.
• The Psalms are full of raw, honest cries: fear, anger, joy, thanksgiving (Psalm 42, Psalm 62:8). Prayer restores because it frees us from pretense—bringing our whole selves before the One who already knows us.
• David prayed: “In your presence there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11). Soul-satisfying prayer is less about “getting things from God” and more about “being with God.”
• When we stop praying selfishly and allow the Bible to guide our prayers, we align our hearts with His promises, which gives us real life (Psalm 119:25, 50).
• Prayer that restores accepts our weakness and God’s strength: “Casting all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Knowing He cares transforms prayer from duty to relief and joy.
• Paul ties prayer to thanksgiving: “In everything by prayer … with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). Gratitude lifts our eyes from problems to God’s goodness, and peace guards our hearts and minds.
• Romans 8:26–27 reminds us that the Spirit prays with and for us. Prayer restores because it’s never us alone striving—it’s God working in us. 

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