Seeing Prayer As A Labor, Not As A Gift

Too often we make spiritual superheroes out of others hoping they might save us.  We look at those that are anointed in prayer as though that is a gift, when the truth is they sacrificed to gain that anointing.  They waited in prayer, they labored purifying their hearts.  All of these things are things God expects of you as well Christian!

The people of Israel lamented over the loss of Jacob apparently considering this to be prayer.  They never heard an answer from God, yet they stepped out anyway, apparently, answering their own prayers.  How often do we do likewise?  God's answer is very seldom the same as ours, still He wants to reward us.  Wait for the answer. 
This was recorded 5/15/18
Notes:
I Sm. 11:1  II Sm. 24:3, 24, 25  Mt. 5:34-37  Ep. 6:18