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As a face is reflected in water,
so the heart reflects the real person.

Proverbs 27:19 (New Living Translation)

As water reflects a face,
so a man’s heart reflects the man.

Proverbs 27:19 (New International Version)

Just as water mirrors your face,
so your face mirrors your heart.

Proverbs 27:19 (The Message)

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:9 (New Living Translation)

Better what the eye sees
than the roving of the appetite.
This too is meaningless,
a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:9 (New International Version)

Just grab whatever you can while you can; don’t assume something better might turn up by and by. All it amounts to anyway is smoke. And spitting into the wind.

Ecclesiastes 6:9 (The Message)

At day’s end I’m ready for sound sleep,
For you, God, have put my life back together.

Psalm 4:8 (The Message)

I will lie down and sleep in peace,
for you alone, O LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8 (New International Version)

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

Psalm 4:8 (New Living Translation)

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10 (New Living Translation)

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10 (New International Version)

He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

Ephesians 2:10 (The Message)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Philippians 4:6 (New Living Translation)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6 (New International Version)

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.

Philippians 4:6 (The Message)

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
—1 John 5:14

If you want to see your prayers answered in the affirmative, if you want God to say yes to your prayers more often, then you must pray according to the will of God.

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He told them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Luke 11:2).

Sometimes God will answer our prayers differently than we thought He would. But we need to remember that the primary objective of prayer is to line up our will with the will of God. True praying is not overcoming God’s reluctance; it is laying hold of His willingness. Prayer is not getting my will in heaven; it is getting God’s will on earth.

The goal is to pray according to God’s will, because 1 John 5:14 tells us, “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

Nothing is outside the reach of prayer except that which lies outside of the will of God.

So here is how I pray. I pray for what I think is right, but then I always add, “Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done.”

When you have lived for awhile, you begin to realize that God knows more than you, and you actually will thank God for unanswered prayers. With 20/20 hindsight, you will thank God that He said no to your prayers at an earlier time.

So don’t ever be afraid to pray, “Your kingdom come. Your will be done. . . .” This is not a copout. Rather, it is an acknowledgement that you don’t know everything, but God does—and God’s will is better than your own.

by Greg Laurie

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 (New Living Translation)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 (New International Version)

Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.

Joshua 1:9 (The Message)