One of the keys to a life of impact is that of perspective. Some people look at situations logically while others look at situations with perspective which I define as looking through the eyes of God. If we focus on our problems and opposition and challenges through logical eyes, there is every possibility that we will be overwhelmed and decide to retreat or give up. But if we focus on those things through the eyes of God, we will gain perspective and know that, “all things are possible with God.” Philippians 4:13

A key area where I need to maintain perspective is in my prayer times with God. In fact, so important is this that I need to take time to prepare myself before I begin praying. I need to make sure I am praying with perspective. A great prayer of perspective is that which Jehoshaphat prayed when the Moabites and Ammonites came to wage war against him. Jehoshaphat’s response was to pray, “to inquire of the Lord.”

And he prayed with perspective, “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are You not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in Your hands, and no one can withstand You. Our God, did You not drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for Your Name saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword or judgement, or plague or famine, we will stand in Your presence before this temple that bears Your Name and will cry out to You in our distress, and You WILL HEAR US AND SAVE US.’” 2 Chronicles 20:5-9
Jehoshaphat didn’t just pray, he prayed with perspective.

On one occasion, when I was studying in America, my wife Sue and I faced a difficult situation when our budgeted finances were low. This resulted in us spending a Sunday afternoon in prayer crying out to God to meet our critical needs. He was the one who had led us to America and He was more than able to provide all of our needs. The next day I received a phone call from the pastor of my church in Australia who shared the news that the previous day was the one-year anniversary of us leaving Australia. He continued, “I felt prompted to take up a love offering in the church service to help you with your ongoing financial needs and I will be forwarding the proceeds to your bank account in America.” The amount was more than sufficient to meet our ongoing needs.

Additionally, we were in need of accommodation as our housing rental agreement was coming to an end. A day later, our next-door neighbour came over to tell us that he had been trying unsuccessfully to sell his house and had decided to make it available to rent. He asked if I knew of anyone in my place of study who was searching for accommodation. I told him to look no further, and a few days later our family moved next door to take up residence in an almost fully furnished home for the remainder of our time in America. Only a few days prior, we had prayed with perspective to the God who had led us to America and He had answered our prayers.
I have a prayer diary where I keep a record of all my prayer requests and in the front of my diary, I keep a list of Bible verses that I meditate on before I begin my time of prayer. I do this so I can prepare my mind to pray with God’s perspective.

The following are some of the Bible verses I meditate on before I begin to pray :-

• “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
• “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petition that we have asked of Him.” 1 Peter 5:14-15
• “Therefore, do not cast away your confidence which has great reward.” Hebrews 10:35
• “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:32
• “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6
• “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
• “God never speaks a word without ensuring it will come to pass.” Isaiah 55:11
• “ ‘Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit’, says the Lord.” Zechariah 4:6
• “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.” Isaiah 53:4 Matthew 8:17
• “He who has promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
• “And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
• For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and brining into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

So, when you pray, don’t just pray! Pray with perspective!