021 RIC Biblical Articles - The prayer for yourself
021 RIC- Biblical Articles The prayer for yourself 14-03-25
Greetings, precious soul,
We often pray for others, but why is it sometimes so difficult to pray for ourselves? Emotions like insecurity, shame, or doubt can hold us back. Sometimes, we even think that our own needs are less important than those of others. But is that really true?
What is stopping you from praying boldly for yourself?
The Lord calls us to come to Him, not only for others but also for ourselves. He says: 'Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.' (Matthew 7:7-8). What a promise! These are not empty words but an invitation from the Lord Himself to come to Him boldly. He calls us to ask, seek, and knock, with the assurance that He will answer. But He does so according to His wisdom and will. His answer is always good, even when it is different from what we expect. He gives what we need, not always what we think we need.
By praying for yourself, you acknowledge that you are dependent on the Lord. It is not a sign of weakness but of surrender. Jesus Himself often withdrew to pray to the Father for strength and guidance. If He needed this, how much more do we? In that trust, we may come to Him as children, knowing that God sees and knows us.
But what if you feel that your prayer is empty? Or if you are not sure whether you can truly approach God? Then this is a call to turn to Him. Without faith in Christ, there is no true fellowship with God. He not only calls you to pray but also to entrust your heart fully to Him. The Lord says: 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.' (Mark 1:15). He will not put us to shame if we come to Him: 'For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.' (Romans 10:11).
With that confidence, we may approach Him, knowing that in Christ, we are fully accepted. From that assurance, we can bring everything that concerns us into His hands. Not because we deserve it, but because He invites us.
Take time today to pray for your own needs. Choose one specific concern that is on your heart and bring it before the Lord in prayer. You may even write it down and observe in the coming days how He works. Bring everything to Him, without hesitation or fear, and trust that He hears and answers, according to His wisdom and grace.
Take a moment to reflect: if you truly believed that God hears your prayer and desires to answer, how would that change your prayer life? How would it help you to bring everything before Him with a heart full of trust? Maybe it is a matter of getting used to it, a practice in surrender. Start today, no matter how small, and trust that He hears and will act.