Praying Surrendered, Part 2 (TMF:2865)

Friday, May 01, 2026

Peace to Live By: Praying Surrendered, Part 2 (TMF:2865) - Daniel Litton
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I pray for it, but if I don’t get it, I’m still going to be okay with that outcome.” The mind ventures to think that most people don’t think like this. Most people are not surrendered with things when it comes to praying for them, and most people have expectations of God which they often feel he does not meet. There can be a sense of entitlement that rears its head, and this is especially true with the younger generations. We expect God to do this or that, and when he doesn’t do it, we put him in the doghouse. Thus, God gets blamed when it is perceived that he doesn’t do what we wanted him to do. Nevertheless, let’s stop for a moment and ask, is it true that God can simply do anything he wants to do? Let’s presume for a moment (because we obviously don’t think it’s true that God wanted to) that God did in fact want to answer our prayer how we prayed for it. Can God just do anything even when he wants to?

Praying Surrendered, Part 1 (TMF:2864)

Thursday, April 30, 2026

Peace to Live By: Praying Surrendered, Part 1 (TMF:2864) - Daniel Litton
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Can we pray things to God without that strong desire within us where we feel we have to obtain whatever it is? Or, can we be free in that with what we present to God we have a loose grip? All kinds of examples can be brought forth at this point. When we go to prayer with God, for instance, can we say things like, “God, you know this is the person I like, the person I’d like to end up in a relationship with. However, God, I am surrendered about it. I pray that it goes in that direction, but I understand and will continue to be happy even if it doesn’t.” That’s kind of big, isn’t it? Or, take another example. Can we say, “You know, God, I really think this job I have applied for is the perfect job. The interview went well, and I thank you for helping with that. I ask that you help them to select me for the job, but, in the end, I am letting the situation go. I pray for it, but if I don’t get it, I’m still going to be okay with that outcome.”

Our Likes vs. Dislikes in Prayer (TMF:2863)

Wednesday, April 29, 2026

Peace to Live By: Our Likes vs. Dislikes in Prayer (TMF:2863) - Daniel Litton
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What has been found to be most beneficial when it comes to prayers, and really to even living life in general, is that of the mindset that we decidedly bring to prayer. And where it all starts—where the beginning of the whole thing is—is with our likes and our dislikes, with what we want and what we don’t want. If we stop and think about it, that’s where all our requests from God begin, right? They begin with us presenting to God things that we would like to see happen, and things that we would prefer not happen. This kind of presentation of what we want from the mind is so instilled in us that we often don’t hardly notice it. It just comes forth from the inner-parts of our being. We even define ourselves at times by our likes and dislikes. And, what is being said here is not that our likes and dislikes are bad—that’s not actually where this is going. Rather, it is more our attitude when it comes to those likes and dislikes, that are we truly surrendered when it comes to what we want and what we do not want.

Being Watchful in Prayer, Part 2 (TMF:2862)

Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Peace to Live By: Being Watchful in Prayer, Part 2 (TMF:2862) - Daniel Litton
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One thing that has been noticed in associating with different groups of believers over the years, is that there does seem to be a general consensus that prayer is more times often left unanswered for us than it is actually answered. In other words, a lot of believers seem to have a cynical attitude when it comes to prayer. Sure, they may pray, but truth be told, they think the odds are more likely at the end of the day, or end of the year for that matter, that the prayers will go largely unanswered. And then comes on the scene the laundry list of explanations that preachers will present to us, the reasons behind it and whatnot, as to why our prayers aren’t being answered. Sometimes the finger is sadly pointed at the pray-er, which surely, at the end of the day, doesn’t help the situation all that much, does it? It can bring discouragement where really we need hope. James did say, “You do not have, because you do not ask…” and all that stuff (James 4:2, ESV). So, not to be too harsh here, because there is some truth behind it at times.

Being Watchful in Prayer, Part 1 (TMF:2861)

Monday, April 27, 2026

Peace to Live By: Being Watchful in Prayer, Part 1 (TMF:2861) - Daniel Litton
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“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2, ESV). We see in the second part of the verse that there is a watchfulness that is supposed to take place from us. And interestingly enough, if going through various Bible translations, trying to gain further insight wondering what this might mean, we find that the translators are kind of divided. Some seem to suggest that it is in our lives that we should be “watchful” for things of which we should pray. Makes sense. So, keeping alert as to what might need the special attention of prayer in our lives. Then some of the translations seem to place the emphasis on “watchful” as pertaining to the actual answers that come from our prayers. That is, looking for the answers to come after we have prayed. That also sounds interesting, and surely, the answers do come. Whatever approach, then, that we take as regards the word “watchful,” either way, we can benefit from both perspectives, that of being mindful of what should be prayed for, and that of expecting God to actually answer our prayers.