1. You’re dwelling on worry.

I was dwelling in the house of worry, I was abiding in the home of frustration and words of fear resided with me.

John 15:7 “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

2. You need forgiveness… and to forgive.

I prayed, but was clueless about the prerequisite of forgiveness…or my need to forgive others. Gulp.

Mark 11:25 “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in

3. You’re focused on the problem, not the Solution.

Focusing on the situation often distracted me from concentrating and meditating on God’s law, on His promises and instruction

Proverbs 28:9 “If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination."

4. You’re wallowing in the pain.

Why do we allow bad news or painful details to drown out what Jesus says?

John 14:12-14 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these

5. You’re praying, but not believing.

It was easy to pray and pray. But believing, truly believing it was done became a struggle.

Mark 11:24 “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

6. You haven’t taken time to reflect to discover wrong thinking.

Reflecting on my past, the mistakes made, the selfish ways, the incorrect thinking and all the dark places my heart trudged thr

Psalm 66:18 “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”

7. You haven’t gotten quiet and listened for God.

In silent moments, reassurance that God heard me erased anxious thoughts.

1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And

8. You haven’t prayed for wisdom.

Wisdom to know what to ask for adds anxiety. But God addresses that too.

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

9. You’re trying to find the right words instead of letting the Spirit
In desperate times, the heart is broken, confusion reigns leaving us without words.

Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit him

10. You’re not seeking the right thing first.

I had my well-established No. 1 priority and what I was seeking first was to have my husband healed…

Matthew 6:33 ”But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

And God did add what was missing—a new awareness of my need to seek Him first. And in the process of seeking Him first, e

I understood to increase my faith, to declare victory in Jesus name, to rebuke anxious thoughts, worry and fear. And most imp

Hubby walked in the house one night with a huge bag of fresh organic carrots, celery, cucumbers and fresh ginger. He began a

_____

Janet Perez Eckles is an international speaker and author of four books. Her best-selling release, Simply Salsa: Dancing With

Image Credit: Thinkstock.com, Unsplash.com

our Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

s promises and instructions.

greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be g

will be yours.”

g thinking.
aces my heart trudged through needed to be exposed before the Lord.

his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”
h, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts are like a wave of the sea that is driven and toss

ing the Spirit intercede.

we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of t

dded to you.”

ess of seeking Him first, even above looking for hubby’s healing, came understanding

ry and fear. And most importantly, to praise Him with all my strength no matter what the circumstances showed.

d fresh ginger. He began a new eating routine and added hour-long daily walks. Months later, his meds decreased and blood sugar reached

imply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God’s Fiesta invites you to experience the simplicity of finding joy even in the midst of hardship, With
, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”

t we have asked of him.”

ea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”

nows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

and blood sugar reached normal levels. His new health-driven determination made me pray again. This time, I prayed gratitude…gratitude

e midst of hardship, With engaging stories, Simply Salsa gives practical steps to overcome heartache and celebrate life once again.
ayed gratitude…gratitude for God’s answer that came through the change He had first created in me.

te life once again.

1. Thank you for this day.
“This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24 NKJV)

2. Be with me.
“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.” (Psalm 118:6)

3. You are so good.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.” (1 Chronicles 16:34)

4. Give me strength for this day.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

6. Thank You for the work that keeps me busy.

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.” (P

7. Lord, give me rest.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am

8. Help me to love.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above y

9. Let me see You.

“You will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with

10. Fill me with joy.

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11)

11. Show me how to glorify You.

“There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, Nor are there any works like Yours. All nations whom You have made shall

12. Give me a generous heart.

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)

13. Erase my worries.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do

14. Help me.

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17)

15. Let my words be uplifting.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their ne

16. Forgive me and help me forgive others.

“If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14)
17. Thank You for being in control.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and

18. Teach me. Guide me. Show me what to do.

“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me.” (Psalm 25:4-5)

19. Purify my mind.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whate

20. Thank You. Again. Always.

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Kelly O’Dell Stanley is the author of Praying Upside Down and Designed to Pray. A graphic designer who writes (or is it a wri

*Original images courtesy of ThinkStock.com and Unsplash.com.

e up.” (Galatians 6:9)

the work of our hands.” (Psalm 90:17)

and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (M

onor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:9-10)

e when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 29:12-14)

om You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And they shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous deed

hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

s up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29)
lans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

r who writes (or is it a writer who designs?), she's also a redhead who’s pretty good at controlling her temper, a believer in doing everything
nd my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
at and do wondrous deeds; You alone are God.” (Psalm 86:8-10)
lippians 4:8)

liever in doing everything to excess, and a professional wrestler of doubt and faith. She blogs at kellyostanley.com and calls small-town Ind
m and calls small-town Indiana her home.