Today we continue our summer series on prayer, inspired by the book The Battle Plan for Prayer, from Alex and Stephen Kendrick.
Our thoughts today focus on both scheduled and spontaneous prayer.
SCHEDULED? There are times in life when we may be motivated to pray – but prayer should also be part of a daily schedule.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 reminds to “pray without ceasing.” That means never being far from the attitude of talking and listening to God. Our goal is to make prayer a natural part of our thinking. We pray in the quiet moments and in the chaos.
Prayer is an ongoing opportunity. It’s a critical part of the life of a believer. A priority and a passion.
David made prayer a habit even as he was king (Psalm 55:17). Daniel prayed to God three times a day, even when he knew it could cost him his life. Jesus modeled the habit of prayer in Mark 1 and Luke 5.
We can do this. We can schedule this. Individual prayer, family prayer, small group prayer over coffee, etc. When we want something bad enough, we will make time in our schedule to do it. Jesus offers us eternal treasures from his Word. So let’s stop making excuses for not scheduling prayer!
Plan to spend time to be with the Lord and watch what He does with it in your life!
SPONTANEOUS? Sometimes unplanned events give us the chance to respond to life with prayer…at a moment’s notice. This is how we engage with whatever comes at us. We learn to use spontaneous prayers.
Psalm 32:6 says, “Let everyone who is Godly pray to You in a time when You may be found.”
What are those times? An unexpected blessing. A crisis for you or someone you know or care about. When you need wisdom and clarity in a financial situation. When you need courage to share your faith. Prayer can be an immediate reflex rather than a last resort.
What can prompt us to pray? Here some things we experience on a regular basis:
- Newness – when we begin something new (project, relationship, year)
- Needs – physical, emotional or spiritual needs; He is Jehovah Jirah, the God who provides. Matthew 6: 8-11 reminds us that He knows what we need even before we ask Him
- Blessings – as God provides, protects, guides and forgives, thank Him!
- Burdens – take these to the Lord and stop trying to solve them all on your own; this means not just your burdens, but those of your friends and family (Galatians 6:2)
- Crisis – these are the life-changing events where we turn to Him; Psalm 50:15 says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble…I shall rescue you.”
- Worries – we can turn worry into prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 and I Peter 5:7
- Sin – anything related to sin should lead us to pray. Jesus instructed his disciples to pray when tempted. We have to humble ourselves and confess our sin. I John 1:19 reminds us that we can trust that He will forgive and cleanse us!
Our circumstances should launch our prayers. We can pray for anything and everything!
With all of this in mind, our Word of the Day is spontaneous (spon-TAIN-ee-us), an adjective meaning something that arises from a momentary impulse.
Thanks for listening!
-Joe
