Don't Let Prayer Slide By In Your Day!

"He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day."   -John Bunyan

The importance of prayer in seeing people come to Christ is often minimized today in our fast-paced society. That's probably why people aren't moved by the message. Their hearts haven't been prepared first by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit to see their need. You know what I mean. "I don’t need to go to church," "I don’t need the Lord." "I can handle it by myself."  Sounds familiar, doesn't it?

Paul didn't think he had any need of the gospel either; until he was confronted on the Damascus Road that day. His heart had been prepared to receive. Prayer is necessary if we are to see people’s hearts prepared to receive the truth because up until that point they are blinded. (2 Corinthians 4:3,4)

1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray continually, or pray without ceasing. This does not mean non-stop praying but rather recurring prayer throughout the day--lifting our hearts to God while we are going about our daily routine. You don’t have to have your eyes closed or be kneeling in prayer every time you pray.

You can pray when you are driving your car--and you better not have your eyes closed! The point is that prayer should be a spontaneous part of your everyday life--it should be important enough to you that you would be earnest, persistent, and active. Don't let prayer slide by in your day.

Matthew Henry says, “Keep up your constant time of prayer without being diverted from it by other business.” He also said “Prayer will punctuate one’s daily schedule.” Continue to pray and thank the Lord for answers. Pray on rainy days as well as sunny days. Pray on bad days when everything is going wrong for you, as well on days when everything is flowing smoothly.

Paul prayed that God would open doors of opportunity for him to speak to others about Christ. In 1 Corinthians 16:9 he said, “a great door and effectual is opened to me.” A great door for effective work has opened to me. Prayer is what makes it effective so that people will not only listen but understand what is being said. 

Let's face it. Many pray because they have a shopping list that needs to be addressed. But, the primary reason for prayer is fellowship and relationship. Jesus prayed all night several times and it was not because He was in want or need. Jesus wanted fellowship and relationship with His Father. Additionally, some feel as though prayer is up to a few who are super spiritual, but nowhere in the Bible is prayer called one of the Spiritual gifts. 

No, prayer is a personal discipline that has to be done by every believer! Not only should we pray – we should trust. We will have peace when we pray and give our anxieties to God – we should trust that He will take care of them. 

Scripture: Romans 8:26; Matthew 6:6; Jeremiah 33:3; Colossians 4:2; Psalm 34:17; Psalm 145:18-19 

Prayer:  Lord God, may all that we see and discover lead us to grow in wonder and appreciation. Amen

Have a blessed day!

Carrie Lynn