Driving Notes

Today’s Monday Motivations focused on spontaneous prayer (Joe) and the importance of fellowship (Daniel).

Many of us commit to scheduled prayer on a daily basis. We plan times every day to respond to life with prayer, mostly before a meal or in a morning posture of gratitude.

But what about those spontaneous prayers? Do you ever have those moments where unplanned events give you an opportunity to respond to life with prayer? I’ve (Joe) been re-reading the Kendrick brothers book, ‘Battle Plan for Prayer,’ and started thinking about this again. Here are some suggestions to encourage you about when it’s time for spontaneous prayer.

The first is newness. Maybe you experience something new. It could be at the start of every day. He could also be when you meet a new friend or have a new opportunity or find something new in your life. Make sure that you dedicate it to the Lord.

Another prompt for spontaneous prayer is an unexpected need. Remember that we serve a God who meets needs. Whenever you discover a sudden physical, emotional or spiritual need, allow that need to prompt you to pray. Remember Matthew 6: 8-11 reminds us that God knows what we need even before we ask him. But we can still pray in faith asking him to meet our needs.

Another way to have spontaneous prayer comes from blessings as God provides, protects, forgives, and guides you. Thank him. Don’t let the routine blessings you receive each day be taken for granted!
I Thessalonians 5:18 simply says, “in everything, give thanks.”

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Recently, I’ve (Daniel) been thinking about fellowship; how we need to surround ourselves with positive relationships to build our faith in God. 

For years, I’ve told myself that I am going to, “Study the bible more,” and sometimes, I do, but that normally didn’t last long. Something would come up to prevent myself from studying that day and then another. Before long, I would find myself back to my old ways as if nothing had happened. That’s surprisingly common in fact on average, only 30-40% of habits are kept when you do it alone; with someone else, that number spikes up to 65-95% (from the Dutch Mentor podcast).

Since I started bringing other people along with my journey of faithbuilding, I found that it became significantly easier and it reminds me of 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 

Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

So, when you are trying to become who God wants you to be, bring a friend, find fellowship, and become unbreakable.

Name someone from the Bible whose name begins with the letter ‘M’:

1 – Moses (25 votes)
2 – Matthew (18)
3 – Mark (16)
4 – Mary (9)
5 – Malachi (6)

Congratulations to Maude from Mount Vernon, who guessed the top two answers and wins the $5 gift card to Watts Restaurant in Utica.

Thanks for listening!
– Joe and Daniel