Bellevue Student Ministry

Pray Specifically

Pray Specifically (Part 1) Specific is defined by Webster’s as: distinctly specified As I was studying scripture this week, I found it wonderfully encouraging, yet at the same time, strongly convicting, that so many people who prayed throughout scripture prayed specifically. Whether it was the disciples in Acts 1:24 praying specifically about who should take the place of Judas, or Jacob in Genesis 32:9-12 praying specifically about his meeting with Esau, they are beautiful reminders that we should pray about Everything! I fear we many times pray on the run (I know I do too often) and we fail to see the Power of the Amazing Mighty God that we serve. God longs to hear and answer our prayers, yet I wonder… how many specific prayers is He hearing. I know when He does hear and answer our prayers, people all around us are encouraged as we share our stories of ONLY what God could do. Take for example, my dad has been praying specifically for months about money needed for a mission in Honduras. He works with an orphanage in Honduras who had the money to pour a concrete slab for a building, but they had not had the money to put the tin roof on the building. It seemed every time that I talked with my dad he would tell me of how God was supplying the money~ yet, just last week they were still $25,000 short. He and one of his friends decided to pray SPECIFICALLY about God providing that money and by a certain time. Well, I got a call from my dad this past Sunday and He was beyond excited and praising God. While at church a lady walked up to him and gave him a check for $15,000 saying that God had told her specifically to give towards this building. Not long after that His friend called him to say that a man had given him a check for another $5000 for the building… WOW! God is good. And just to show you that we serve an all powerful, mighty, supply our needs God… as my dad was walking (or probably skipping) to his car, someone else walked up and gave him the last of the $25,000… another check for $5000. What a mighty God we serve. So now, I challenge you, as I challenge myself… PRAY SPECIFICALLY! Hannah prayed specifically in 1 Samuel 1 for a child and God blessed her with Samuel, among others also. Nehemiah prayed Specifically in Nehemiah 6:9 that God would strengthen his hands. In James 5:17 we are reminded again that Elijah prayed specifically that it would not rain (please feel free to pray this for my Wedding Day on April 12 ). So what do you need to pray specifically for? Maybe it’s good health, sunshiny days, or conversations that can be tough. Maybe it’s energy that you need, money for missions, or a job to help with bills. Whatever it is, I assure you, we have a God who LONGS for us to talk with Him and share our needs. Don’t miss out on all that God longs to do for you because you’re too busy to take time out to Pray. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says: “Be Joyful Always, Pray CONTINUOUSLY, and in all circumstances give Thanks.” Please, Please, join me in watching the power of God be unleashed because we as His Children took time out to pray SPECIFICALLY! Seeking to Serve, Leslie Gary