Praying is Doing
What’s your prayer life look like? Is it picture perfect and strong enough to rival that of the apostles like Paul and John? Mine isn’t.
I am joined today by Candid gal, Jaime Hampton who is an author and the co-founder of the Prevailing Prayer podcast. Prevailing prayer is not just discussions about prayer, but it provides opportunities to pray, prayer prompts, and challenges to help you deepen your prayer life.
You would think that as the co-founder of a podcast about prayer, Jaime would have the whole prayer thing mastered, but she is sharing that she does still struggle. She says one of the reasons her and her co-founder, Alana Terry created the podcast was because they both struggled in this area and they figured they weren’t alone. They wanted to provide a resource that would help others to deepen their prayer life and share some of their struggles.
Prayer Struggles
I asked Jaime to share some of her own prayer struggles, and here’s what she said:
My biggest struggle is that I tend to be a Martha, a do-er. I take action and think I need to get something done. Sometimes people will talk about needing an extended prayer time about something, and I find myself bristling. I’m getting better as I’m seeing God working more, but if I’m really honest the first thought that comes to my mind is, “But shouldn’t we be doing something or giving advice or practical tips?” But I’m just really learning – God is teaching me – that that is not the right attitude. These extended prayer times are not a waste of time, but we are really unleashing power in the spiritual realm. We’re tapping into God’s power and somehow being part of His will being done here on earth.
That’s my biggest struggle and I really feel like it stems from a lack of faith that my prayer is going to accomplish something. I am praying for more faith in that area and that God would help me see that there are things going on even when I’m not seeing results to those prayers. Preparing for the Prevailing Prayer Podcast has really helped me, as Alana and I have been preparing for these episodes, it’s really helped me along in my prayer life.
Praying for the unsaved is something I had kind of let go because I was frustrated not seeing answers immediately. Through an episode we have recorded, I have recommitted myself to praying for the unsaved people. And to commit to doing it for a long term, and not just praying only if I see results happening.
An Encouraging Verse
The last question I asked Jaime was to share a verse about prayer. Here’s what she shared:
Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” When I read that, I don’t see it as dark and gloomy about spiritual battles and evil forces, but what I see is that there is a spiritual reality beyond what we can see that is more real than anything we can see around us. It’s an encouragement for me, that our prayers change the fabric of reality. God is doing something and it’s real and it’s tangible. Just because we can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there. For me, that’s an encouragement to persist in prayer; to move forward and live like I believe what I say I believe.
What About You?
I am so thankful Jaime was willing to join me for this month’s candid conversation, but I’d love to hear from you as well. Can you relate to Jaime’s prayer struggles or do you have any of your own? We’d love to connect with you in the comments below.
Jaime Hampton
Jaime Hampton lives in Southcentral Alaska with her husband and three children. She has been involved with ministry to children and youth for over twenty years. Jaime writes Christian nonfiction, and has a passion for studying the Bible. She also enjoys camping with her family, roasting (and drinking!) coffee, and the crazy life that comes with being a hockey mom. Learn more by visiting her website www.jaimehampton.com.
Click here to find out more about the Prevailing Prayer Podcast
I love the “our prayers change the fabric of reality” quote. 🙂
Yes! I did too. So often we fall short of really realizing that.
Thanks, Heather; I can so relate to what Jaime is saying! Prayer is a struggle for us ‘doers’, but God has been teaching me over and over again of the power of prayer. I’m a slow learner, but He is a patient and faithful God.
Yes! I would be a lost cause if it weren’t for the fact that God is patient and faithful.
I think we can all relate to this! –> “I am praying for more faith… that God would help me see that there are things going on even when I’m not seeing results to those prayers.” I ask that for myself as well. Just because I can’t see it, doesn’t mean that God isn’t already answering it. Thanks for sharing!
Amen! Sometimes we focus on tangible results and forget that there is a spiritual war being waged all around us.
The only thing that can change things is prayer. Fighting on our knees 🙂
I think we can change things without prayer, however prayer is definitely the BEST way to change things. And probably the easiest. I also think when we change things without prayer, we don’t always get the results we hope for. I know there are several areas in my life right now that I know how to change without prayer, but because of prayer I know God doesn’t want me to take those actions, He wants me to trust His timing and wait for Him. It’s not always easy, but that’s why we have to trust in Him.
I love your heart for prayer — prayer is so powerful
It really is, Samantha!
I need to learn to be a bit more Mary and a bit more Martha as well 🙂
Lol! I totally relate to that, Andrea!
Writing my prayers down is helpful for me. It keeps my mind on the task and I can look back over them later! Otherwise, I am inconsistent with my prayer time.
I don’t write mine out, but I do find making a bullet point list is helpful for me.
This post totally related to the other one I just read. So helpful. I loved the verse you shared too from Ephesians. God’s Word is very convicting.
God’s Word is living and active. I love it when I see a theme in online posts.
Loved this podcast! We have to pray more as a body. We seem to use it as a last resort instead of using it to prepare our hearts for what is coming.
Prayer DOES prepare our hearts for what’s coming! You are so right, Kristi.
Thank you Heather & jamie! this post has encouraged me. Sometimes you feel alone with you’re prayer struggles, assuming everyone is praying perfectly & consistently all the time.
Thank you so much for letting us know you found this encouraging. That is encouraging to us!
I sometimes feel like I’m talking to the wall. When “God takes a long time answering” I wonder if constantly repeating myself is worth it. But I am learning that prayer changes me as much if not more than it changes my reality, and I need this attitude adjustment regularly.
Amen! I totally relate to that, Maria, but you are so right that prayer changes us.
Thank you, Heather, for sitting down with Jaime. After reading this conversation, I subscribed to her podcast and can’t wait to journey with her and Alana. For all the Martha’s out there, I recommend checking out Susan Rakoczy’s “Great Mystics and Social Justice: Walking on the Two Feet of Love .” It completely changed my personal spiritual journey by demonstrating the necessity of prayer in doing the work of God.
Thanks, Melissa. I hadn’t heard of Susan Rakoczy, so I looked her up.
I’m a “doer,” too, so I often struggle because I feel like I need to do something practical…even though prayer is often more powerful than any practical thing we can do! Thanks for the reminder that our prayers change the fabric of reality.
Thanks for stopping in, Shannon. It’s so easy to look at prayer as something passive, when really it’s the best attack strategy there is.