7 Ways Prayer Will Make You See Your True Identity

Why Pray?

Do you ever find yourself wondering why you do the things you do? Or think the way you think? Why you might circle back around that same pit of disaster mere moments after you were cruising a high road?

Sometimes it’s the big things … but other times it’s the simple things in life. I can go from feeling like Supermom to Super Mom-fail in a matter of moments. Tell me I’m not the only one strutting my have-it-all-togetherness in the morning but wiping away tears of self-frustration by noon?

Once upon a time I knew no other way of living.

The radical ups and downs of feeling enough because, you see, I believed I was only as good as my accomplishments. Head nods, ‘atta girls, and accolades told me my identity was worthy.

But the girl in me with a broken identity could never get enough of the accolades because the world we live in is unpredictable, hurting, and often very angry.

It doesn’t take long for a young girl to believe she will never be enough. The effects are devastating and they keep us from living the life God wants us to live.

If we are looking for a healthy identity, we will never receive it from the broken, unpredictable, and often angry world in which we live #whypray #identityinchrist #powerofprayer Click To Tweet

But the story is never over because our God is a God of many chances. One who is persistent, patient, and ever faithful as waits for us to come to Him.

Because …

When I come to know God, I can finally come to know myself.

When I come to know God, I can FINALLY come to know myself. #trueidentity #powerofprayer #identityinchrist #momentsofhope #linkup Click To Tweet

Our belief system is the mechanism we use to make sense of the world around us. It’s what drives our thoughts, words, and actions. It is the set of filters we use to see not only our world, but it is the filter through which we see ourselves.

Track with me here …

When I know God as a loving God, I believe Him to love all His children. No matter where we are on the journey to those pearly gates, He loves us. That doesn’t mean, only those journeying well. It means ALL of us.

If I believe He manifests this kind of unfailing love, I must also believe He grieves. Real love begets grief not hate. God’s love shuts out hate. He grieves those who don’t know Him, who walk away from Him, or choose to ignore His instruction. He doesn’t hate them.

That fundamental belief system allows me to see the world through His lens of love. I see others as His children and I choose mercy. I choose to pray they turn to Him. But I do not hate them.

And in turn, I choose to see myself as His child. One to whom I can give mercy. Someone I can love and forgive.

Someone created wonderfully and with purpose. Independent of accolades and of the world’s valuation system. Free of comparison, only seeking to bear His image more each day.

We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. -Ephesians 2:10 ESV

 

But this system hinges on one thing. It hinges on knowing God. The more I know God, the more I can love myself God’s way. Not the world’s way. And from experience, I promise you, loving ourselves God’s way is SO MUCH BETTER than loving ourselves the world’s way.

WHY PRAY?

Because, friends, the world’s way is unpredictable but God’s way is not. He is stable and His love unfailing.

When I am firmly planted in Him, I’m not shaken. I am capable of living out my purpose and of being the best version of myself for those I love. I can have healthy relationships and I can set fears and insecurities aside to pursue my calling.

This is ours to live, but will we get to know Him? Will we learn about Him through the pages in our Bibles and with the words of our hearts poured out in prayer? 

…Read more by walking with me to Married by His Grace where I’ll press on with the hard questions and give you 7 ways prayer will make you see your true identity. 

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This is Part 2 of the Revive Your Life with the Power of Prayer Series. If you missed the first post by my dear friend and treasured prayer warrior, Carmen Brown, you can find it HERE! Or you can catch up on the series by clicking on the images below!

          

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3 Things to See in the Empty Tomb

I am encouraged by this quote from Karen Woodall.

“As you prepare to celebrate Easter this year, remember that the message of the resurrection is more than a historical event that anchors our faith. It’s also a personal message for you today! Because Jesus is alive, sin and death are defeated and hold no power over His followers. While our personal crises may endure, they don’t have the final word in our lives. Christ’s power reaches into the midst of our confusion, and graciously offers abundant life, confident hope and certain peace… for this life… and for all eternity.”

-Karen Woodall

 

 

Why Pray?