Prayer Is My First Response Now: Learning to Lean on God in Every Situation

As Christian moms, we know how easy it is to fall into the habit of worrying. Life’s daily demands often push us to control every situation, to fix problems as they arise, and to strive for perfection. But what happens when we can’t control the outcome or fix what’s broken? When we have to rely on God’s divine help? It can be difficult and, at times, overwhelming.

This is why Philippians 4:6 has become such a powerful reminder in my life:
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.”

The scripture is simple, but the challenge lies in truly embracing it. Everything? Yes, everything! Even the seemingly small details matter to God.

Let me share a personal story that deepened my understanding of this truth.

In 2023, I found myself in a stressful situation: I had misplaced my handbag, and inside it were my wallet and identification. I searched everywhere—at home, at a friend’s restaurant—nothing. Stress started to build, and I was overwhelmed by worry.

That Saturday, I joined my church’s virtual prayer meeting. When the leader asked if anyone had prayer requests, I hesitated. My prayer request felt trivial compared to the challenges others were facing, but I felt a strong nudge to ask for prayer for my lost handbag. I shared my request, and we prayed together.

Less than an hour later, I found my bag right where I had placed it—on the hanger. I realized I had spent so much time stressing over it without praying. In that moment, I learned that prayer should be my first response, not my last resort.

Prayer has since become my go-to in moments of uncertainty, chaos, and fear. It’s the only thing that calms my heart and brings peace, even when the situation remains unclear. And while the answers may not always come immediately, prayer always brings me a sense of direction and clarity.

God cares about every detail of our lives. From finding a lost handbag to the bigger issues we face as Christian moms, God is deeply involved and attentive to us. If He cares for these little things, how much more does He care for our families, our children, and our hopes and dreams?

The scripture that has been transformative for me this year is:

This verse reminds me that all power belongs to God. Without Him, everything we do is futile. I am learning to lean on His understanding, not my own, and to acknowledge Him in every aspect of my life.

The Yoruba name for God that has been on my heart lately is "Abanidamoran," which means

The One who helps me navigate life through dialogue or conversation. Prayer, in its simplest form, is our conversation with God. It’s not just about asking for what we need, but also about listening for His voice, sharing our hearts with Him, and trusting that He is with us every step of the way.

As Christian moms, it’s easy to feel like we have to handle everything ourselves. But God doesn’t want us to be independent of Him—He wants us to rely on His strength, wisdom, and guidance in every area of our lives.

I want to encourage you to bring everything to God in prayer. Whether it’s a big issue or something small, He cares deeply about all the details of our lives. When we choose prayer as our first response, we allow God to lead us through the uncertainty and overwhelm, bringing peace in the process.

I leave you with this timeless hymn that always reminds me of the power of prayer:

What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

If you’re a Christian mom looking for support and encouragement in your prayer life and your journey as a mom, we invite you to join our mentoring community. Together, we’ll explore the power of prayer, build lasting faith, and support each other in this wonderful calling of motherhood.

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