I was surprised to learn that the first official act of the first American Congress in 1774 was to read Psalm 35 and pray. That prayer was not a superficial one, as we would expect to hear in a public gathering today.

I like to make a list—either mentally or in my notebook—of the things I’m trusting the Lord to do. Then I do what I think Hudson Taylor meant when, one day shortly before he died, he said to his wife, “I’m too weak to pray; all I can do is trust.” Actively trusting by reviewing before the Lord what He has promised strengthens our faith. If doubts appear, we may need to again pray, claim His promised Word, and once more cast all our cares on Him.

When Pastor Jeff Kirby went to speak in Chile, his translator invited him to go to the weekly prayer meeting at the palace of the president of Chile. While there, he heard a behind-the-scenes story of the miners who were trapped in the mine in 2010.

God permitted St. Augustine to fall deeper and deeper into sin even though his mother Monica was faithfully praying for him. She could not have known during those long days of waiting that God would be able to grant her much more in the end than if He had answered her when she first began praying.

A father said his wife came home from the doctor’s office with their young son, and told him, “The doctor said David needs some special orthopedic shoes. Is it alright if I go buy them even though they are very expensive?”

A young pastor felt he should spend his time from dawn until noon in prayer, worship, and Bible study. That time became the joy of his life. But over the months and years, his duties increased and he began to cut off 45 minutes of his devotional time. At times, needing to meet the needs of the people he worked late, and he stopped rising at dawn.

G. C. Bevington, a man of great faith, said he learned the importance of praying until he could discern what request to make. In doing that, he would sense the burden on Jesus’ heart.

When I was a young mother I wanted God to use me. I went up to our bedroom one day, and knelt down and said, “God, let me work for You full-time.” I didn’t know if He would answer that but was just voicing the desire I found in my heart.