What manifesting promised me

I used to be deeply into manifestation. I’d write out my goals in the present tense, visualize them, script how my dream life would unfold, and make mental vision boards that looked like Pinterest exploded. I believed that my words had power, my energy could attract what I wanted, and the universe would respond to my frequency.

And things did happen. But something always felt… off. Temporary. Shaky. Like I was the one holding everything together with spiritual duct tape. I couldn’t rest, because it was up to me to maintain the “right vibration.”

Eventually, I burned out. I felt spiritually exhausted, and deep down, I was still afraid—afraid of losing control, afraid of not being enough, afraid that none of it actually meant anything.

What prayer taught me instead

When I first started praying, I didn’t really know what I was doing. It felt weird. I wasn’t “setting intentions” or “claiming abundance.” I was just… talking. To a real God. A Father. In fact, the very first time I prayed, I couldn't even say Jesus' name. It was like a lump in my throat. The dark had a hold of me. The deception was real.

And then something beautiful happened. Prayer became less about getting what I wanted and more about knowing who He is. I didn’t have to pretend to be high-vibe or “in alignment.” I could come messy. Tired. Doubtful. And still be heard.

Unlike manifesting, prayer didn’t rely on me. It shifted my focus from my own power to God’s sovereignty. From controlling outcomes to trusting His will. From chasing a dream life to being shaped by eternal truth.

From “I create my reality” to “Your will be done”

The biggest shift? Surrender. Manifesting told me I was the author. Prayer showed me I never had to be. In fact, opening my heart up to Him was the very first step. Once I did that, surrender happened organically. And it felt good.

There’s so much peace in letting go of the pressure to control everything. I’ve learned to ask, to wait, to listen. To trust that even “unanswered” prayers are being woven into something far better than I could ever force into existence.

Jesus said, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:8). That truth changed me.