"This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24)

This week, let this be your first thought every morning. This is the day the Lord has appointed for you. He has given you this day. Embrace everything He brings into this day. When it brings difficulty or disappointment, think of your circumstance as a "faith lab." Every little joy or pleasure it brings is a gift from the Father. Start your prayer times this week by settling this in your mind: I will rejoice and be glad in this day.

The Prayer Tips come from Jennifer Kennedy Dean and the Praying Life Foundation

It has been well said that God always answers prayer. Sometimes He says, "Yes." sometimes He says, "NO." Sometimes He says, "Wait for a minute," and a day to the Lord is a thousand years to us (2 Peter 3:8) If taken literally, that means that a ten year wait for us is 14 minutes and 24 seconds to God; so ask in faith, but rest in peace-filled patience.

Surveys show that more than 90% of America prays daily. No doubt they pray for health, wealth, happiness, etc. They also pray when grandma gets sick, and when grandma doesn't get better (or dies), many end up disillusioned, and some end up bitter. This is because they don't understand what the Bible says about prayer. It teaches that sin will stop God even hearing our prayers (Psalms 66:18) - It teaches, among other things, that if we pray with doubt, we will not get an answer (James 1:6-7).