We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there's nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all. Most of us would prefer, however, to spend our time doing something that will get immediate results. We don't want to wait for God to resolve matters in His good time because His idea of 'good time' is seldom in sync with ours.

Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.

True intercession involves bringing the person, or the circumstance that seems to be crashing in on you, before God, until you are changed by His attitude toward that person or circumstance. People describe intercession by saying, "It is putting yourself in someone else's place." That is not true! Intercession is putting yourself in God's place; it is having His mind and His perspective.

We touch the last reality directly in prayer.

Prayer is not mere wishing. It is asking — with a will. . . . It is energy. We turn to an active Giver; therefore we go into action.

Once you get on the joy and gratitude frequency, you come to see that the universe is not only a co-creative force, but it's your strongest ally.

What you appreciate appreciates.

And be over-the-moon grateful that everything is working out for your good.

Ask, in Aramaic, means a combination of "claim" (as in, that deed to the land is yours) and "demand." To ask for something in prayer is to simply lay hold of what's yours. You have the right, and even the responsibility to command your life.

Many of us are busy "doing" but are not keeping our personal relationship with God in tune.

The DNA of joy is gratitude.

Prayer is not bringing your list and asking God to sign on the bottom. Prayer is handing God a blank sheet that you have already signed and trusting him to fill it out as he sees fit.