Years ago, I learned to pray two powerful prayers in tandem, a practice I call “Power Prayers”: God, where are you working? and God, how can I join you? I instinctively turned to these petitions in times of crisis and calm alike. Meditating on these questions allowed the Holy Spirit to reveal opportunities I had never seen before, leading to spiritual growth when my maturity had plateaued. I learned these prayers from Henry Blackaby, the bestselling author of Experiencing God, and they changed the direction of my life. Don’t wait for a personal crisis to employ these Power Prayers; take them before God now and watch your perspective shift.
God, where are you working? is a prayer of curiosity that shifts the focus from ourselves to the Lord. As we open our spiritual eyes to survey His work around us, we gain a clearer view of His character, values, and heartbeat for the world. Experiencing God’s nature inevitably transforms our own as we move toward Him. By recognizing His involvement in the here and now, our hearts become convinced of His desire to care for us with compassion.
God, how can I join you? is a prayer of connection. It invites us into a cooperative friendship with God, working alongside Him to bring goodness into the world and our own souls. No longer must we live separate from Him, hoping He will bless our independent endeavors. Instead, our actions become intertwined with His, allowing us to live with a sense of purpose far bigger than ourselves.
Little did I know that this simple prayer would lead me to a grueling and inspiring race, even in the depth of my season of suffering. Little did I know that I was being called to be an IRONMAN with incurable brain cancer.
You can begin your power praying with something like this:
God, where are you working? What are you up to?
Allow time to meditate, and let God’s Spirit direct your attention.
I want to see what you’re doing and who you are. God, I want to experience you. Show me your heart and transform my heart.
Slow down and enjoy God’s presence. Note how it feels to be united with God.
God, how can I join you? What can I offer? I want to cooperate with you. How can I cooperate? Show me what gifts and skills you have given me. It may not be much, but I want to be with you in your work. Give me wisdom to discern my calling in life.
Take a deep breath. You’re safe in God’s presence.
To be honest, joining you in your work is intimidating. I’m a bit scared. Remind my heart that you are with me. Give me courage and determination to do what you are calling me to do.
In the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.
Continue praying in a similar way, uniquely crafting your prayer to address each situation you find yourself in. In both crisis and calm, regularly pray these power prayers. May they bring you the same peace, discernment, direction, clarity, resolve, and strength that they have brought me.
Excerpted from I Am Weak, I Am Strong by Jay Hewitt. Copyright © 2023 by Zondervan. Used by permission of Zondervan, www.Zondervan.com.
