If you grew up in the church, you're familiar with the term "prayer warrior." And yet as a college student, nobody seems to look at another student and call them a prayer warrior. Was something lost in the generations?
Perhaps the most popular prayer of the college student is "Pray that I do well on the upcoming test," or "I'm really stressing over my homework this week. Pray that God helps me get it done and gives me peace." Now, I'm not saying that these are bad prayers, but it sort of reveals the extent to which we believe in the power of prayer. My pastor Alan Frow gave this illustration (along with many other ideas appearing in this article):
If a child goes to a parent and pleads and begs not to be sent to school naked, the parent would be insulted! Of course they're going to provide for their child! If the child asks desperately for a meal before bed, how would the parent feel?
His conclusion was that we needed to pray for bigger things. Big things! Things outside of ourselves! We were encouraged to pray for revival in foreign countries, for freedom of slaves in sex trafficking, for the salvation of a loved one. We have a incredibly powerful God. Prayer is so much more powerful than we imagine it to be.
This Christmas, consider writing a wish-list of things you want from God. Be bold! Ask for big things! Pray for them daily. I think you'll be surprised at what God will do for you.
Furthermore, think about what you're asking for prayer about. God is a lot more powerful than a vending machine. Treat Him as such. Live as through that is true, as though you have direct access to the most powerful being ever who loves you more than you could ever imagine.
