I can't do one without the other

The other day I closed my eyes in prayer, ready to go on some spiritual journey that would take me to a quiet, peaceful place, but all too soon I was thinking about tons of other stuff, urgent matters and clutter in the brain, worries about work and family and friends. I thought of a friend who’s desperately looking for a job and a colleague who got a bad report from her oncologist and the homeless man sleeping on the sidewalk.
Then there was all the “me” stuff—frustrations, anxieties, wishing someone would respond to an email or return a phone call, irritation at some imagined failing.
It would seem wise to skip all of that and go straight to a quiet, peaceful prayer, but I’ve discovered that then I’m not being very honest. I’m not even in the mood for calm. I need to pray for all the things that swim in my head.
Then, and only then, am I ready for a quiet letting go, a shedding of myself, an acceptance of goodness, a listening to God.
It would be easy to say that prayer should be one thing or another, but it doesn’t really work that way, at least not for me. I need to ask God for tangible things. I need to go through my own “give us this day our daily bread” list. Then I can sink into that other deep spot of “Father, thy will be done.”
It takes both kinds of prayer, the asking and the letting go. I can’t do the one without the other.

JILL

"When you go about your day, are you looking for God’s favor? Do you expect His goodness to overflow? Many people wake up and just believe to make it through the day, but God has so much more in store for you. What He has laid out for your future is more than you can imagine! What He’s got arranged for your family is more than you’ve ever even dreamed of. I believe that if you will take hold of this truth by faith, you will see supernatural doors begin to open. You’ll see promotion like you haven’t seen before!
No matter where you are in life, no matter what’s happening around you, start looking for more of God’s favor. Don’t settle for where you are. Don’t settle for just barely getting by. Believe that God is good, and He wants to do more in and through you. Remember, what you seek, you will find. So seek Him first, and He will pour out His supernatural favor upon you!" In Jesus name, Amen

So many people today get down and discouraged because they only focus on their present circumstances. They’re constantly dwelling on their problems, what they don’t have, and what’s wrong with them. They don’t realize it, but they’re allowing the enemy to steal their hope. This negative frame of mind is what keeps people from moving forward in life.
Understand today that faith is confidence and assurance about the things we hope for according to the promises of God. Like an arrow, your faith points to the target of hope. If you don’t have hope, that arrow of faith has nothing to aim for. It won’t accomplish anything. But when you keep your hopes up, when you keep expecting and believing, it’s like making that target larger and larger and easier to hit!
Choose today to live with an attitude of expectancy. Don’t focus on your circumstances; focus on your God! Get your hopes up! Take captive every negative thought. As you focus on God’s goodness and faithfulness, you’ll feel that hope inside of you growing. Give your faith a target and move forward confidently in the direction of your dreams!