“When your back is against the wall, try knees on the floor.”

But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.

I Samuel 1:5-7, 10, 17, 20

“I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.” – Abraham Lincoln

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.

Philippians 4:6-7

Too often, we wait until we find ourselves in a desperate situation before we begin to pray. Prayer becomes our last resort when God intended it to be our first response.

Prayer should be a lifestyle. When we develop a consistent habit of spending time with God, our natural response to difficulty begins to change. Instead of immediately focusing on the problem, worrying about what might happen, or trying to figure everything out on our own, our first thought becomes God.

His power to change the circumstances of our lives is unmatched.

Prayer is a powerful spiritual weapon, but it is also a place of fellowship with God. As we spend time with Him in prayer, something begins to happen within us: our focus shifts from the problem to the Answer. The situation may still be there, but we are no longer looking at it from the same perspective.

Prayer is also a two-way conversation. We pour out our hearts before God, but we must also take time to listen. As we quiet ourselves in His presence, He can speak wisdom, direction, encouragement, and solutions into our hearts.

We don’t have to pray from a place of fear or desperation. We can pray from a position of faith. Our prayers can be firmly rooted in God’s Word and in the promises He has given us. Instead of rehearsing everything that could go wrong, we remind ourselves of what God has said and trust Him to be faithful to His Word.

When we turn to God first, the enemy’s plan immediately begins to lose its influence over our thoughts. Fear gives way to faith. Confusion gives way to direction. Anxiety gives way to peace. Instead of allowing the circumstances to determine our response, we allow God’s Word to determine it.

So don’t wait until your back is against the wall to discover the power of prayer. Make prayer your lifestyle today.

And when your back does end up against the wall, remember—try putting your knees on the floor.

Give God the first opportunity to move in your life.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 6:33

Victory Action

When I face trouble, difficulty, or uncertainty, I will go to God first. Before I worry, react, or try to solve the problem on my own, I will pray, stand on His Word, listen for His direction, and trust Him to work in my situation.