Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 
-Colossians 4:2

I heard a message recently that convicted me—in the best way—about prayer. It posed the question, “Do you PRAY or do you PROCESS?” … Whoa. If you’re like me, processing (whether internally or externally) releases some pressure. It feels good. It feels productive. But is it actually helpful? 

I started adding up how much time, on average, I spend thinking about or talking through things happening in my life. The tally was higher than I’d like to admit. Now imagine if I’d dedicated even a portion of that time to praying about what’s going on. Just imagine.

Excited by the potential for impact, I tried it with my best accountability partner, Derek. When we’d normally process a decision we needed to make, we prayed about it. On a day we’d typically overanalyze a conversation one of us had, we prayed about it. And when a grocery run at Aldi resulted in a minor parking lot fender bender, you guessed it, we prayed about it. After only a few days, we had a greater sense of peace; our dependence deepened. As we’ve continued with this practice, I realize how my eyes lock on Jesus the moment my intention shifts from processing to praying. And I feel more connected to the Lord even when I’m not engaging in prayer. Imagine that.

Next time you start processing, press pause and try praying instead. It’ll make all the difference.

TAKE IT FURTHER
Pray with others (out loud). You’ll feel a shift in how you pray and what you pray. As a result, the Lord will help you see things differently and hear from Him differently than you would have had you prayed alone.