Prayer as a Young Adult

Since I was a child, prayer in my family was always important. My parents taught me to pray before every meal and first thing in the mornings. Like most children, I look up to my parents and want to follow in their footsteps, but it wasn’t till I was older that I started appreciating the power of prayer.

Fast forward some years, I was starting college at my father’s Alma Mater with a scholarship and my four-year plan in mind with the confidence that nothing and no one would get in my way. I was commuting over an hour one way to school every day and working full time. Looking back, I don’t know how I thought I could do this all on my own. I wasn’t praying like I used, and I started neglecting my Bible time before bed.

Those few months were difficult. I was in my first year of college, working full time, and I started dating for the first time. My relationship started off nice, and I thought we had the same Christian values. Soon I learned that wasn’t the case, and the relationship took a turn for the worse and became abusive. I was in such a vulnerable place. I felt lost and alone, so I started praying again on my drive to and from school. I told myself I would begin dedicating more time to God and start trusting in him more because I knew he had a plan for me and would never abandon me.

When I pray, I ask for guidance and strength to forgive. I had so much heartache and resentment in my heart, but I knew if I stayed strong in my prayers, God would heal and guide me.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)

 God blessed me with peace in my heart and freedom from people and things holding me back. The best part was how he blessed me with a job at my church as a receptionist.

 So much for the plan. I thought I had a few years ago. I am nowhere near where I thought I would be, but I am exactly where God needs me to be. For that, I am extremely grateful.