Creating with God

Written By Peter Warren

Hey Friends,

Grab a cup of coffee (or tea, if that's your thing) and let's have a real conversation about prayer. I'm not talking about reciting memorized lines or checking a box on your spiritual to-do list. I'm talking about the kind of prayer that feels like a lifeline to God. The kind that not only changes you but the world around you.

Sounds a bit out there? Well, my own life is a testament to the power of prayer.

My Jail Cell Epiphany

Picture this: It's Christmas morning, and I'm waking up in a cold, damp jail cell in Amsterdam. As a rebellious 18-year-old who'd left home to hitchhike around the world, I never thought I'd end up here. But as I sat there, my mind drifted back to my family in Australia, and the day I'd sailed away on a ship, full of dreams and defiance.

A few days later, I was on a plane back home, wondering what had gone wrong. My parents met me at the airport, and my dad, a pastor, simply said, "Son, it's good to have you home. Your mom and I have been praying for you the whole time you've been gone."

Praying? For me? I hadn't given prayer much thought, but something about their words stuck with me.

A Change of Heart in Canberra

My dad handed me a brochure for a Christian outreach event in Canberra. I wasn't planning on going, but something inside me said yes. I can't explain it, but it felt like a force stronger than my own will.

That week in Canberra, everything changed. I was baptized, and when I came up out of the water, I knew God had a calling on my life. I've never looked back.

God's Two-Way Street: Sovereign and Preferred Will

The more I studied the Bible, the more I realized that God's will isn't as simple as we sometimes make it out to be.

  • There's His sovereign will—the big, unchangeable plan He has for the world (Ephesians 1:11).

  • Then there's His preferred will—what He desires for specific situations and people, but it can be influenced by our prayers and choices (Matthew 6:10).

This means that even if God knows the end from the beginning, He still gives us a role to play. He invites us to partner with Him through prayer and to help bring about His preferred will on earth.

Prayer: Our Secret Weapon

Think of it like this: God is the ultimate chess master, but He's given us a few key pieces to move on the board. Through prayer, we can influence the game. We can ask God to intervene, to show mercy (Hebrews 4:16), to heal (James 5:14-15), to change hearts (Ezekiel 36:26).

This doesn't mean we can force God's hand or change His sovereign will. But it means we have incredible power to work with Him, to shape events, and to see His kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

How to Pray Like You Mean It

So, how do we pray effectively? Here are a few tips, backed by Scripture:

  1. Get real with God: Be honest about your doubts, fears, and desires (Psalm 62:8).

  2. Seek His heart: Ask Him what He wants for the situation you're praying for (1 John 5:14).

  3. Pray persistently: Don't give up, even if you don't see results right away (Luke 18:1). Remember George Mueller, who prayed for his friend's salvation for 63 years!

  4. Pray with faith: Believe that God hears you and wants to answer your prayers according to His will (Mark 11:24).

Prayer Changes Things

I'm convinced that my parents' prayers played a crucial role in my own story. They helped me find my way back to God and discover His purpose for my life. And I believe that our prayers can make a difference in the lives of those we love, in our communities, and even in the world.

So, let's not underestimate the power of prayer. Let's come boldly before the throne of grace, asking God to move in our lives and in the world around us. Who knows what amazing things He might do in response?

Ready to Go Deeper with God?

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Peter Warren
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