During 2010, I have been doing a Bible study, The Praying Life, by Jennifer Kennedy Dean that has given me a deeper understanding of the purpose of prayer and the process of prayer. The key to prayer is not asking God for my desires but developing an intimate relationship with Him so my desires will be His desires.

Jennifer Kennedy Dean writes “Powerful praying occurs when:

1. I allow Him to align my thoughts and purposes with His.
2. I give up my preconceived ideas of what I want and need and allow Him to fill me with His abundance.
3. I bring my will into active cooperation with His.
4. My mind, will, and emotions become the conduits through which He can express His thoughts, desires, and longings.” ¹

If you would like to learn more about how to pray in 2011, I highly recommend this Bible study. The Praying Life by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.

¹ 2003 Jennifer Kennedy Dean, The Praying Life, The New Hope Publishers, Birmingham, AL, p. 208

© 2011 Lillian Penner