May 16, 2025
Prayer Changes Us
Have you ever wondered why our prayers sometimes don’t seem to change our circumstances—but somehow, they change us instead? In today’s episode, Lauren Alessi explores the transformative power of prayer, drawing from Philippians 4:6-7 to remind us that prayer can exchange our anxiety for God’s peace, even during seasons of waiting and longing. Together, we’ll unpack how bringing our worries and dreams to God doesn’t just shift our situation, but shapes our hearts and minds in ways we may not expect.
Join our community in prayer and devotion as we seek God’s peace that surpasses all understanding and trust Him to work in us as we wait for His timing.
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WEBVTT
00:00:00.239 --> 00:00:21.760
You're listening to the My Morning Devotional podcast, episode 1270. Today's Devo is called Prayer Changes Us. Hey there. We're the Alessies, a ministry family working together in our church in Miami, Florida. And if you're like us, when days get busy and to do lists get longer, it can be hard to find devotional time.
00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:47.450
That's why we've partnered with our friend Alison to produce a five minute daily dose of heaven. This is the My Morning Devotional Podcast. Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the My Morning Devotional Podcast. My name is Lauren Alessi, and if you are from South Florida, that is right. I just totally ripped off the Miami Seaquarium song because it fits perfectly with our podcast.
00:00:48.250 --> 00:00:55.640
Like name, like, it's just a perfect theme song. So Miami Sequarium. Please don't come after me. I just. It just works. Okay.
00:00:56.119 --> 00:00:59.759
Anyways, today we are talking about prayer. This whole week, we are talking about prayer.
00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:35.810
And I hope that it has blessed you. I. I know it's been a good week for me. Prayer is something that I really love talking about. And you guys had also requested that we talk a little bit more about prayer. So I hope that this podcast is blessing you. Okay, so I'm just gonna jump right in. Our verse of the day is going to be Philippians 4, 6, 7, and it says this. Do not be anxious about anything. But in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
00:01:36.689 --> 00:02:05.590
I love this verse so much. This is just one of those classic verses, and I love it because prayer, it just reminds us that prayer doesn't always change our circumstances immediately. And maybe you're listening to this podcast and you're like, lauren, this is kind of triggering me because I've been praying for this for years now and nothing has changed. And this is the same old, same old, same old. I'm tired of praying for it. I'm tired of praying for the same old thing. I need it to change.
00:02:06.469 --> 00:04:03.610
But maybe prayer is changing us. And maybe that's not something you've. You've thought of yet. Maybe that's something you need to pray about. Maybe you could pray, hey, God, show me how this is changing me. That's a great book, by the way. Lord, only you could change me. It's a great book. You should read that. Prayer exchanges anxiety for peace. Like, don't be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, remember we talked about this when Jesus was telling us how to pray, when Jesus was telling his disciples how to pray. In every situation, situation, by prayer petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. It exchanges anxiety for peace, fear for trust and. And this longing, this. This striving for a promise, a miracle, for surrender, which. God's going to give you the blessing. God's going to give you the miracle. You're not going to be wanting it forever. God is going to bless you. But in the meantime, all these things you're praying about, the anxiety that comes along with it, the. The worry that comes along with it, give it to God. You. It's too much for you to handle anyway. Don't be anxious about it, don't worry about it. But in every situation, give it to God. And please, if you feel like it's too much to put into words what I'm going through. You don't know how long I've prayed. I don't even know what to pray for. First of all, God sees you right where you're at. God knows what you're facing. Remember, make it a personal prayer. You know how to pray by now. And we don't pray, guys, to. We don't pray to get a gift. We don't pray to get a miracle. We pray because God is our friend. We pray because we're in a relationship with God. And we're in a relationship with God because He's good to us. And we have dreams and desires because we're human. We. We have things and longings in our heart because we're human and God made us that way.
00:04:03.689 --> 00:04:06.889
And he is good enough to say, hey, bring those dreams and desires to me.
00:04:06.969 --> 00:04:10.530
And in the right timing, I'll make them happen. And I'll bring them to you.
00:04:10.530 --> 00:05:07.319
And I'm going to change you in the process. And I'm going to make you better in the process. But hey, in the meantime, while you're waiting on those things, don't be anxious about anything. But in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your request made known to me. And guess what God gives us in return? Peace, which transcends all understanding, which will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. And maybe you're still struggling with this concept. You're like, it's just been so long. I've been waiting so long. Been praying for so long, it's still not working. I want to challenge you a little Bit further. Today, my dad showed me this great quote from a trainer and this person who was trying to eat right, gain muscle, lose weight, was like, I've tried everything, nothing's working. I've upped my weights, I've tried eating less, I've had more protein, I have done everything right, nothing's working. And the trainer simply said to him, he's like, you have to understand, if you were doing everything right, you would see results.
00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:51.490
But the fact that you are not seeing results simply means that there's something not working, which means that there's something you're doing wrong. And I don't want to say to all of you that there's something you're doing wrong. Because what this trainer was simply saying was all of this evidence about eating protein, you know, cardio, strength training, whatever, all these things, he's like, all that is scientific facts. All of that is based in science. So it has to work. So simply, it's okay, don't get worried. But there's obviously something you're not doing right, so let's find out what that is and let's fix it so you can get the results you want. But if there's a part of you that's going, none of it's working. I've prayed, I've surrendered, I've given up everything.
00:05:51.730 --> 00:06:01.728
God's not answering my prayers. Maybe it's time for you to simply pray a prayer of, okay, God, what am I doing? What am I missing? What am I not seeing in myself?
00:06:02.449 --> 00:06:36.560
Because we've touched on everything about prayer, guys, even the Lord says, don't be anxious about anything, but give it all to me and I will give you peace which transcends all understanding. And if you don't feel that peace, guys, if you don't feel that, then ask God, Lord, what am I missing here? What do you need to show me, Lord? Because the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, that should guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus, that should be on you even in a season of waiting, even in a season of longing.
00:06:38.089 --> 00:06:45.209
So what worries do you need to release today? And have you seen prayer change your heart or perspective in the past?
00:06:45.850 --> 00:06:48.970
Just want to leave you with that. Wanted to challenge you more a little today.
00:06:48.970 --> 00:07:41.529
I know we went deep today, but why are we going to talk on prayer if we're not going to go deep, you know? Anyways, let's pray. Father, we bring our worries and our needs to you today. Thank you, Lord. That we don't have to carry them alone. God, thank you honestly Lord, because our words are too much to carry on our own anyways. God so Lord, right now we just pray. Take them and Lord, fill us with your peace that surpasses all understanding. Guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. So there you have it. Your 5 minute daily dose of heaven. Thank you so much for tuning in today. We pray these devotionals empower you to take on your day. If you found value in this devotional, share it with a friend, leave a comment or review for us on the app you're using right now.
00:07:41.689 --> 00:07:46.569
Until tomorrow. We pray that your latte is strong, but your love for Jesus is stronger.
00:00:00.239 --> 00:00:21.760
You're listening to the My Morning Devotional podcast, episode 1270. Today's Devo is called Prayer Changes Us. Hey there. We're the Alessies, a ministry family working together in our church in Miami, Florida. And if you're like us, when days get busy and to do lists get longer, it can be hard to find devotional time.
00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:47.450
That's why we've partnered with our friend Alison to produce a five minute daily dose of heaven. This is the My Morning Devotional Podcast. Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the My Morning Devotional Podcast. My name is Lauren Alessi, and if you are from South Florida, that is right. I just totally ripped off the Miami Seaquarium song because it fits perfectly with our podcast.
00:00:48.250 --> 00:00:55.640
Like name, like, it's just a perfect theme song. So Miami Sequarium. Please don't come after me. I just. It just works. Okay.
00:00:56.119 --> 00:00:59.759
Anyways, today we are talking about prayer. This whole week, we are talking about prayer.
00:00:59.759 --> 00:01:35.810
And I hope that it has blessed you. I. I know it's been a good week for me. Prayer is something that I really love talking about. And you guys had also requested that we talk a little bit more about prayer. So I hope that this podcast is blessing you. Okay, so I'm just gonna jump right in. Our verse of the day is going to be Philippians 4, 6, 7, and it says this. Do not be anxious about anything. But in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
00:01:36.689 --> 00:02:05.590
I love this verse so much. This is just one of those classic verses, and I love it because prayer, it just reminds us that prayer doesn't always change our circumstances immediately. And maybe you're listening to this podcast and you're like, lauren, this is kind of triggering me because I've been praying for this for years now and nothing has changed. And this is the same old, same old, same old. I'm tired of praying for it. I'm tired of praying for the same old thing. I need it to change.
00:02:06.469 --> 00:04:03.610
But maybe prayer is changing us. And maybe that's not something you've. You've thought of yet. Maybe that's something you need to pray about. Maybe you could pray, hey, God, show me how this is changing me. That's a great book, by the way. Lord, only you could change me. It's a great book. You should read that. Prayer exchanges anxiety for peace. Like, don't be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, remember we talked about this when Jesus was telling us how to pray, when Jesus was telling his disciples how to pray. In every situation, situation, by prayer petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. It exchanges anxiety for peace, fear for trust and. And this longing, this. This striving for a promise, a miracle, for surrender, which. God's going to give you the blessing. God's going to give you the miracle. You're not going to be wanting it forever. God is going to bless you. But in the meantime, all these things you're praying about, the anxiety that comes along with it, the. The worry that comes along with it, give it to God. You. It's too much for you to handle anyway. Don't be anxious about it, don't worry about it. But in every situation, give it to God. And please, if you feel like it's too much to put into words what I'm going through. You don't know how long I've prayed. I don't even know what to pray for. First of all, God sees you right where you're at. God knows what you're facing. Remember, make it a personal prayer. You know how to pray by now. And we don't pray, guys, to. We don't pray to get a gift. We don't pray to get a miracle. We pray because God is our friend. We pray because we're in a relationship with God. And we're in a relationship with God because He's good to us. And we have dreams and desires because we're human. We. We have things and longings in our heart because we're human and God made us that way.
00:04:03.689 --> 00:04:06.889
And he is good enough to say, hey, bring those dreams and desires to me.
00:04:06.969 --> 00:04:10.530
And in the right timing, I'll make them happen. And I'll bring them to you.
00:04:10.530 --> 00:05:07.319
And I'm going to change you in the process. And I'm going to make you better in the process. But hey, in the meantime, while you're waiting on those things, don't be anxious about anything. But in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your request made known to me. And guess what God gives us in return? Peace, which transcends all understanding, which will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. And maybe you're still struggling with this concept. You're like, it's just been so long. I've been waiting so long. Been praying for so long, it's still not working. I want to challenge you a little Bit further. Today, my dad showed me this great quote from a trainer and this person who was trying to eat right, gain muscle, lose weight, was like, I've tried everything, nothing's working. I've upped my weights, I've tried eating less, I've had more protein, I have done everything right, nothing's working. And the trainer simply said to him, he's like, you have to understand, if you were doing everything right, you would see results.
00:05:07.959 --> 00:05:51.490
But the fact that you are not seeing results simply means that there's something not working, which means that there's something you're doing wrong. And I don't want to say to all of you that there's something you're doing wrong. Because what this trainer was simply saying was all of this evidence about eating protein, you know, cardio, strength training, whatever, all these things, he's like, all that is scientific facts. All of that is based in science. So it has to work. So simply, it's okay, don't get worried. But there's obviously something you're not doing right, so let's find out what that is and let's fix it so you can get the results you want. But if there's a part of you that's going, none of it's working. I've prayed, I've surrendered, I've given up everything.
00:05:51.730 --> 00:06:01.728
God's not answering my prayers. Maybe it's time for you to simply pray a prayer of, okay, God, what am I doing? What am I missing? What am I not seeing in myself?
00:06:02.449 --> 00:06:36.560
Because we've touched on everything about prayer, guys, even the Lord says, don't be anxious about anything, but give it all to me and I will give you peace which transcends all understanding. And if you don't feel that peace, guys, if you don't feel that, then ask God, Lord, what am I missing here? What do you need to show me, Lord? Because the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, that should guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus, that should be on you even in a season of waiting, even in a season of longing.
00:06:38.089 --> 00:06:45.209
So what worries do you need to release today? And have you seen prayer change your heart or perspective in the past?
00:06:45.850 --> 00:06:48.970
Just want to leave you with that. Wanted to challenge you more a little today.
00:06:48.970 --> 00:07:41.529
I know we went deep today, but why are we going to talk on prayer if we're not going to go deep, you know? Anyways, let's pray. Father, we bring our worries and our needs to you today. Thank you, Lord. That we don't have to carry them alone. God, thank you honestly Lord, because our words are too much to carry on our own anyways. God so Lord, right now we just pray. Take them and Lord, fill us with your peace that surpasses all understanding. Guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. So there you have it. Your 5 minute daily dose of heaven. Thank you so much for tuning in today. We pray these devotionals empower you to take on your day. If you found value in this devotional, share it with a friend, leave a comment or review for us on the app you're using right now.
00:07:41.689 --> 00:07:46.569
Until tomorrow. We pray that your latte is strong, but your love for Jesus is stronger.