Prayer changes us from the inside out.
Yesterday, we talked about how prayer shifts your focus from your problems to the Problem Solver. Today, I want to share another shift that happens when you pray—this time, in your desires.
I’ve mentioned before that I have a serious sweet tooth. It’s really hard for me to stay away from pastries, chocolate and desserts. But I’ve found a few tricks to help curb a craving.
For example, brushing my teeth or drinking a glass of water changes the taste in my mouth, and suddenly the urge to snack fades away.
Prayer can have a similar effect on our “mental cravings”, the Bible calls them temptations. And giving in to those temptations is what we know as sin.
Jesus emphasised the role of prayer in protecting yourself from temptations:
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Mark 14:38
Even in the Lord’s Prayer–the prayer of all prayers, as taught by Jesus during the sermon on the mount–He includes the request for protection from temptations:
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” – Matthew 6:13
When you feel yourself teetering on the edge of giving in to your desires—whether it’s greed, lust, lying, envy, pride, gluttony, selfishness, laziness, anger, or anything else—pause and pray.
Even a quick prayer can help shift your desire away from temptation and toward the loving, grace-filled arms of your Heavenly Father.
I’ve noticed that when I start my day with prayer, I tend to be a kinder, more loving, and more generous person, less likely to snap or get irritated.
Prayer—whether or not it changes our circumstances—changes us from the inside out.
