Exodus 30:34-38  Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the Lord. Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from their people.” (NIV)

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We do not relate to God in the same manner we relate to people. There are words and thoughts and feelings we bring into God’s presence that we do not bear in relationship to any other. There are things we say to friends and acquaintances that we never say to God.

The deeper and more trusting a relationship is, the more confident we are in revealing our hearts and speaking what’s on our minds. In our deepening companionship with God, our thoughts become prayers. The matters we ponder and the decisions we consider are turned over and over, examined from every vantage point, while inviting God’s perspective and direction. 

This may make it harder to pray publicly. Increased familiarity and closeness with God in personal prayer allows us to bring to him thoughts and feelings better left unspoken in public. It’s good to remind ourselves of this before praying in the presence of a small group or congregation. 

The secret to a heightened prayer life is the confidence to tell God everything you keep secret from others. He already knows your hidden thoughts and motivations. Get honest with him. Say the same thing about these secrets that he says about them. Call them what they are. 

Lust and greed, unhealthy and unholy desires, begin losing their hold on us when we call them by name before God and seek his help to overcome them. These are the kinds of prayers God always says Yes to. 

Empower your prayer life by praying Bible verses that speak to the struggles and opportunities before you. Arm yourself (See Ephesians 6:10-18.) against evil and for success with the character qualities and tools God provides. As my coworker Becky teaches, find three Bible verses for those sins that tempt you most. A cord of three strands gives you God’s perspective and power for overcoming evil. 

Find and commit to memory God’s words of truth and life for the opportunities before you. Seek God’s perspective regarding the outcomes these opportunities make possible. Seek his heart and mind regarding what these opportunities remove or diminish. What is the worthy goal? What problems does this solve? 

Some people casually say, “Prayer is powerful.” What is powerful is the kind of prayer that seeks God’s heart and mind on what’s on our hearts and minds. What is powerful is seeking his highest and best in all things and for all people as we seek to know his will and ways for what is before us all the days of our lives.

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I will grow in the grace of deepening prayer.

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Our Father, teach me to pray. Teach me to bring everything that is on my heart and mind to you for your perspective, your will, and your ways. Empower me as I seek to do what you say. Make me a blessing in how you answer my prayers better than I pray them. Amen.