What should you pray when you don’t know what to say anymore? What do you do when you feel you’re out of prayers? As a pastor, I’ve had a lot of people tell me they’re tired of praying. They’ve asked God to change their circumstances, fix their relationships, or transform their lives—but they still don’t feel connected to God.
I’ve experienced that same drought of divine intimacy myself, and it’s often because I’m focused on an outcome rather than my relationship with God. During those times, I’d tell you I desire a closeness with God. But in reality, my heart and actions would reveal a secret hypocrisy. Is it possible that we feel disconnected from God—that He’s not answering our prayer because we’re asking the wrong questions?
What if we changed the focus of our prayers from us to Him? What if we simply asked God two questions:
Father,
What are You doing today?
And how do You want me to be a part of it?
As we pray those two questions, we should remember to spend silent time after each question listening for an answer. How can that change our hearts? Solomon wrote:
…in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
-Proverbs 3:6 (NIV)
When we focus on what God is doing instead of what we want, we naturally move away from our own perspective and start seeing His. As we change that perspective, the light for our own path becomes clear.
Are you in a place of spiritual drought?
How can a change in your perspective affect what God is doing in your relationship with Him?
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Those are two great questions to break through brain and heart fog, Joshua. Thank you so much!
The older I get, the simpler my prayers have become. That’s why I love your direct and simple two question prayer. It indicates a personal relationship with our savior and faith in His answer.
I love the way you framed that, Candyce. God wants to draw us into a deeper relationship with Him.
Short, sweet, and so applicable. I especially love this, “I’ve experienced that same drought of divine intimacy myself, and it’s often because I’m focused on an outcome rather than my relationship with God.”
Thanks!
Sadly, it’s a true statement, Beckie. But I appreciate your encouragement. Thank you.
Love your two questions, Joshua. I sometimes have the opposite problem from your acquaintances that say they are tired of praying because they’re not feeling connected – I’m afraid God gets “tired” of my same requests over and over – and I know He NEVER tires of our prayers, but, I seem to not tire of asking repeatedly for a need for a family member with an addiction problem or a friend in financial struggles or an acquaintance whose child is ill….. I just keep asking! BUT – I love your two questions that will take my focus off “answers” and promote a “relationship” instead!! Thanks so much for the tip!
Thank you for your honest response, Julie. It’s interesting that the two question prayer works on both ends of the spectrum, isn’t it?God loves to hear us cry out to him in words or silence, but we’re drawn closer to Him as we align ourselves with where He’s working and moving.
Like many others, I struggle with the right words when I pray. I really like your suggestion. It’s so simple but, it’s brilliant! Thank you for offering this inspiration as to how we can be involved in God’s work. I’m going to use it. Wishing you continued blessings.
You’re welcome, Katherine. Thank you for your encouraging words. When we go where a god is working, we better sense His direction and presence.
You’re right, Joshua. When we change our focus to what God wants, it changes us. Thanks!
Barbara, Thanks so much.
I love this, Josh. He focused rather than Me focused.
Thank you, Tammy. I love the way you put that, “HE focused not me focused.” That’s outstanding.
Joshua, such good questions. I’ve long understood that to get out of a depression you need to get the focus off yourself. These questions are a great way to start that process. Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome, Loretta. having struggled with depression in the past, I agree that finding a way to focus on God rather than ourselves is a positive step toward healing. Thank you for your honest comment.
Drought or not, one question I try and ask as I near the end of each time of prayer is “Father, what are your plans for me today? What do I need to do for the kingdom this day?” Sometimes, I find I can’t find words to express a need for others or myself (usually myself more). In those moments, these questions might help. I believe, through the Holy Spirit, my tears are understood.
I have found myself there to, J.D. It’s great that you know how to approach God when you’re feeling that way. Sometimes our tears are the most powerful prayer of all.
Love asking simple questions. The experiencing God Study says to “look for the activity of God and join Him there.” That is exactly what these two simple questions address. Thank you for the reminder.
Hi Dawn. I’ve not done that study yet, but I’m looking forward to it. Thank you for your kind words.
I absolutely love this. Every time we make something about us and not about God, we’re not going to be able to see our circumstances correctly. Thanks, Josh!
Thank you Jean, you’re so right.
Amen Great questions. I ask HIm what He has for me today. Great insight.
Thank you, Cherrilynn. I think we complicate prayer sometimes. May we both see what he has for us today.