What Your Prayer Life Reveals About Your Heart

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. -1 Corinthians 13: 1-3

Hi friend,

There's something amazing that happens when we truly intercede for others—something that reveals the deepest parts of who we are. I'm not talking about the polished prayers or the dramatic spiritual displays. I'm talking about the raw, authentic sacrifice of going the distance in prayer, the kind where God is truly leading and we're simply following His heart.

The Heart of True Intercession

Recently, God woke me early to show me a spiritual attack against a relative I've been praying for over many years. As I saw this "blood altar" erected against their life, I was reminded of something beautiful: God doesn't take pleasure in the secret counsel of the wicked. He exposes these attacks because He loves to use one of us to pray and intercede, no matter how long it takes, until His intervention increases on the earth.

This got me thinking—the enemy never relents, not until we die. So for those in our lives who don't have the assurance we do, shouldn't we pray? Shouldn't we stand in the gap with unwavering love?

Though his hatred is covered by deceit, His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly. Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
Proverbs 26:26-27

The Longing for Authentic Connection

I've been connected with various people for prayer over the years, and if I'm honest, pride often intercepts these connections after some time. It may not start that way, but somewhere along the journey, the focus shifts from God's heart to their personal agendas and self-promotion.

I long for the day when I can pray authentically alongside others—whether a kingdom spouse or divine connections—who remain unwavering in their obedience to Christ, despite their shortcomings. Unwavering dedication and sacrifice to prayer, led by Jesus. None of us are perfect. We're all learning how to connect and grow in our faith walk and prayer life. But there’s a fine line between praying in accordance to the counsel of the Lord or praying by your own understanding and your own emotions.

But here's what puzzles me: why does it seem like so many just don't want to pray for others genuinely?

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 
Colossians 1:9

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16

May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.
Hebrews 13:21

“Therefore do not pray for this people, nor lift up a cry or prayer for them, nor make intercession to Me; for I will not hear you. 
Jeremiah 7:16

The Reality of Sacrificial Prayer

I've traveled far, stayed up for weeks, months, even years interceding for others—weeping, praying, yes, even for my enemies. Not because I'm trying to earn points with God or others, but because I know my Father's heart. Actually, I've tasted a small drop of His wrath, which makes me understand just how wonderful redemption truly is. So I pray without ceasing, especially as God leads.

Because I see in the spirit, I recognize how the demonic kingdom operates—and it's not how mainstream Christian influencers often depict it. Many are using “outdated manuals” while the enemy has switched to more sophisticated attacks. They use old revelations and AI tools, to recycle insights instead of receiving fresh ones from the Lord. More often than not it is because they have a heart departed from His perfect love. And if you have not love, what do you have?

What I mean is this: when we remove the Holy Spirit's wisdom and God's counsel, relying instead on formulas with verses slapped on top, we end up with empty prayers, empty songs, and empty spiritual warfare.

We miss out on the fresh revelation God wants to give us today, right now. We miss the treasure chests He's prepared from the intercession of others and the key truth that being a servant like Jesus—putting others first—is essential to our own elevation, even on the spiritual battlefield.

And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
Mark 9:35

The greatest in the Kingdom of heaven is the one who humbles himself and becomes like this child.
Matthew 18:4

“But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”
Luke 15:28-32

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
Philippians 2:17

The Surprising Economy of Prayer

There are nights when God takes me into the heavens to show me that He only needs ten minutes of effective prayer before I go about my day. Other times, He reveals months of strategy over someone's life, calling me to fast and pray with focused intensity. All the while, I'm trusting Him to cover my own family, ministry, and children- taking care of me even as I sacrifice for others.

This is the beautiful paradox of Kingdom living: as we pour out, we're filled up.

If God leads us to sacrifice, then there’s revelation in that exchange.

A Heart Check for All of Us

I share this not to shame anyone or to boast about my spiritual experiences. I share this to challenge your awareness of how far you're willing to go in prayer. To reflect on what is holding you back. If God is leading then there’s an invitation of growth. Of intimate identity in who you are in Christ. There’s breakthrough to support in others achieving, and yourself.

Ask yourself:

- How long have I been starting the process of truly praying?

- Have I remained obedient even when my prayers seem to yield no immediate results?

- Do I withhold prayers because, like the prodigal's older brother, I’m not acquainted with my Father's heart and how He loves?

The Wall of His Love

If you're situated in the citadel of His heart, you're walled in, knowing you're provided for. From this place of security, why not sacrifice in prayer as the Lord leads? You need not be afraid. He's watching you, your tithe, and you'd be surprised how your "two copper coins" of intercession can become the exact kind of offering that will change your life, your circumstances, your very identity.

Perfect love flows through us when we truly understand our Father's heart. When we grasp how deeply He loves—not just us, but every person we're called to intercede for—our prayers become less about duty and more about love. Less about our knowledge and more about His love flowing though us.

Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.” 
Mark 12:41-44


Your Invitation to Go Deeper

Today, I invite you to examine your own prayer life. Not with condemnation, but with curiosity. What does your prayer life reveal about your heart? Are you willing to be stretched, to love beyond your comfort zone, to intercede for those who might not even know they need it?

The battlefield of prayer isn't just about spiritual warfare—it's about allowing God to transform your heart as you align with His. It's about discovering that in losing yourself for others, you find who you were always meant to be.

As Scripture reminds us in Zechariah 2:5: "For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”

From within His protection, His love, His provision, we're free to pour out sacrificially, knowing that He who sees in secret will reward openly.

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Matthew 6:5-6

What will your prayer life reveal about your heart today? I'd love to hear your thoughts and connect with you in the comments below. And if this encouraged you today, please share it with someone who might need to hear that they're not alone in their journey.