The 3 Ps

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words (Romans 8:26, NLT).

Hey friends! Hopefully you’ve noticed my absence over the last couple of months. It wasn’t planned, but needed. The Lord moves us into and out of spaces, and I’m so thankful for his grace that provides what we need. And sometimes a sabbath is just that. I’m grateful to be sitting back at my laptop, sipping coffee, and sharing the words the Lord is putting on my heart.

Today we’re going to be talking about the 3 Ps: prayer, preparation, and patience.

It’s important to notice the order of those words. Prayer should always come first. No matter what is going on in our daily lives, we should begin with prayer. Thankfully, even on the days when we may not know what to pray, the Lord reminds us in Romans 8:26 of this truth:

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.”

When we come to the Lord, and lay our hearts open before Him, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to pray when the words won’t come. I don’t know what is weighing on your heart as you read these words, but I do know one truth that will never lead you astray: take it to God in prayer.

In all things, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God and He will meet you there. Prayer first, preparation second. 

God often reveals things in our lives one step at a time. We desire to know more, but in His sovereignty, and for our protection, He gives us just enough to take the next step. Prayer, and preparation. I often remind myself to “prepare my heart for what God has prepared for me.” 

How are you preparing your heart, mind, or life for what God may have in store for you? Whether you’re preparing for a big life change, or just living the faithful day-to-day, God is always preparing our hearts for what He has prepared for us. When we choose to keep our eyes, ears, and hearts fixed on Jesus, we can lean into whatever He has next. 

Patience is always last. We pray, prepare, and then expect an immediate outcome or resolution. Things often don’t move according to the timeline we desire. Things move too fast, and we don’t feel prepared. Other times, it feels like the Lord isn’t hearing our prayers, and our preparation feels like a waste. Yet, God’s Word reminds us of His truth from Ecclesiastes 3:11

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet, no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”

Aren’t you so thankful for God’s sovereignty? When I reflect on my life, there are moments I can recall that went totally different than what I would have requested. But God. He is always good. He is always right on time. And His plans are always better than what we imagine for ourselves. 

No matter what you’re wrestling with today, remember the 3 Ps: prayer, preparation, and patience. Write them down. Put them into practice. And wait with hopeful expectation for what God is going to do in your life. It may not be easy, but it will be good because He is good.