Girls Night #135: How to Pray Intentionally (Yes, you can ask God for Specific Things)
IN THIS PODCAST EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
How to make space and time for prayer
How to stop praying general, basic prayers, and instead pray boldly, powerfully, and in a way that totally transforms you.
How God promises to show up when you pray
What to do if you've been praying for something and God either isn’t answering or seems to be saying no
(You can also listen right here!👇)
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Hey friends! Welcome to Girls’ Night!
Y’all, I’m so excited to share this episode again because it was one of my all time favorites! The wisdom you’re about to hear from our guest is absolutely life-changing.
In this episode, we’re talking all about prayer.
Can we be honest for a second? Prayer is hard. It’s confusing, we’re never sure if we’re doing it right. For some of us it might come a bit more naturally, but for others of us? No way. It feels totally awkward, and don’t anybody dare ask us to pray out loud in public.
If you’re anything like me, you might also find yourself asking big questions about prayer.
I find myself asking those questions more than ever in moments when I’ve been praying about something for a long time and it feels like nothing’s changing. I find myself asking, “Does God even hear me?” or “Is He really listening?” “Is all of this praying making any difference at all?” and on particularly hard days, “Does God even care?”
Friends, if prayer ever feels like a struggle for you, or if you’re like me and this is an area where you’d love to really grow, I’m SO excited to introduce you to this week’s guest.
Our guest this week is Chrystal Evans Hurst. Chrystal is a mom, writer, speaker, and an encourager who teaches people to love God, to love others, and to love themselves. She has a book called, The 28-Day Prayer Journey, and, I’m telling you, the wisdom she is about to share in this episode is game-changing.
I’m so glad I get to share this conversation with you!
PIN ME!
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
Steph’s book, The Lipstick Gospel (here’s a paperback copy and here’s a free digital download!)
Steph’s prayer journal, The Between Places
Chrystal’s Book, The 28-Day Prayer Journey
Fervent: A Woman's Battle Plan to Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer book by Priscilla Shirer
War Room Movie Mentioned
Chrystal’s PRAY acronym: Praise, repent, ask, yield
Verses Mentioned:
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” - James 4:8
“pray continually” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” - 1 John 5:14
“We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.” - John 9:31
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” - 1 Peter 3:12
“And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” - 1 John 5:15
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” - James 1:17
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” - Matthew 7:11
“After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’” - Acts 13:22
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1:9
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28
“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” - 2 Corinthians 1:20
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” - James 1:5
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Matthew 6
1 Samuel 13
Psalm 27
Hebrews 4
Quotes Mentioned:
"So many of the big things in our life start by little steps of obedience" - Stephanie
"I believe that God hears me and I'm going to take advantage of it" - Chrystal
"We don't have to wait for the dark place in order to be connected with God" - Chrystal
"God is listening" - Chrystal
"When we pray, we just simply have to trust" - Chrystal
"You can memorize scripture in your life at any time" - Chrystal
"I just talk to Him like I would a friend" - Chrystal
"When you don't know what to say, pick up the Psalms" - Chrystal
"It's our job to ask, it's God's job to answer" - Chrystal
"How can we experience answered prayers, that give God glory, if we don't ask?" - Chrystal
"If you want to hear more yeses from God, then come to God boldy and ask for more things" - Chrystal
"God is God and we're not" - Chrystal
"God delights in you choosing" - Chrystal
CONNECT WITH CHRYSTAL
Facebook // Website // Instagram
CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE
WE LOVE OUR SPONSORS!
Our sponsor for today’s episode is Faithful Counseling. Faithful Counseling was so generous to give my Girls Night listeners a special offer of 10% off your first month of counseling. So, to check it out, and get 10% off of your first month, just go to GetFaithful.com/girlsnight.
WHILE WE’RE ON THE SUBJECT
here’s another resource I know you’ll love!
Every Single Moment
A 100-day prayer journal to help you savor the present and prepare for the future!