Pretty Fruitful Library / Book Notes
There are some excerpts that stop you, not because they are complicated, but because they bring you back to what matters most.
While reading The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian, this reminder stood out to me:
“God wants you to long for His presence. He wants you to find your fulfillment in Him and nothing else. He wants you to walk closely with Him. He wants you to increase in faith and knowledge of His Word. He wants you to put all your hopes and dreams in His hands and look to Him to meet all of your needs. When you do, He will open the storehouse of blessing upon your life. That’s because these things are His will for you. But none of this happens without prayer.”
This excerpt feels like a gentle call back to intimacy with God.
Not just praying when life feels heavy.
Not just seeking God when I need an answer.
Not just turning to Him when everything else has failed.
But longing for His presence because He is enough.
That line, “He wants you to find your fulfillment in Him and nothing else,” is the part that lingers with me. It challenges the places where I may be looking for peace, validation, direction, or security outside of Him.
It is easy to place hopes and dreams in our own planning, our own timelines, our own ability to figure things out. But prayer reminds us to place those hopes back into God’s hands.
Prayer is not just the act of asking.
It is the practice of returning.
Returning our desires.
Returning our fears.
Returning our plans.
Returning our hearts.
And according to this excerpt, the things God desires for us (closeness with Him, deeper faith, knowledge of His Word, surrendered hopes, and trust in His provision) do not happen apart from prayer.
That is such a powerful reminder.
If I want a life that is fruitful in the way God defines fruitfulness, I cannot build it apart from Him. I cannot simply plan my way into peace or discipline my way into spiritual maturity. I need prayer. I need His presence. I need to keep coming back.
Where have I been looking for fulfillment apart from God?
Lord, teach me to long for Your presence more than anything else. Help me to find my fulfillment in You, not in achievement, approval, comfort, or control. Draw me closer to You through prayer. Increase my faith, deepen my love for Your Word, and help me to place my hopes and dreams fully in Your hands. Amen.
About This Note
This post is part of my Book Notes collection, where I reflect on excerpts, ideas, and lessons from books I am reading.
