The bottom shelf in my study is lined with spines that mean more to me than any of the other books in my library. They are prayer journals from my early years as a Christian. Those journals—each a different size and binding—are more than just diaries. They are relics of a young faith—the pontifications, supplications, and declarations of adoration from an earnest teenaged believer.
Every so often, I take one off the shelf and read over what I wrote over half my life ago: prayers about girls I liked, dreams I had, sins I wanted to kick, progress I believed I’d made in life, discoveries I had made about God from Scripture. Honestly, I’m embarrassed by a lot of what I wrote. I would hate for the world to see those prayers outside the context of the youth that produced them. But I also cherish them because they are a record of the beginning of my spiritual journey, and they bear witness to the fact that my earliest days as a follower of Christ were shaped by prayer.
Jesus told us that in this world we will have trouble and suffering (John 16:33). He also told us that it was good for us that He should leave, because He would send His Spirit to live inside our hearts as our Counselor (v.7). These two promises tell us some important things. First, there is plenty of reason to pray, and second, the Lord is near and He hears us. No wonder the apostle Paul told the Romans to rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, and be persistent in prayer (Romans 12:12). Our prayers reach the ears of God.
My prayer habits have changed over the years, though I always have some sort of journal going. When I look at those prayer journals from my early years as a Christian, I think about persistence in prayer. I think of how I’ve grown and how, in many ways, I’m not that different from my younger self. But mostly, I think of the kindness of God over the years, His steady presence and faithfulness revealed by the passage of time.
Prayer as a spiritual discipline is about more than asking God for things. It is about learning to move through this life in one long extended conversation with the Lord, where every thought has an audience of One. It is about learning a language that will carry on into eternity, one we will become fluent in one day—the language of the kingdom of God, where worshippers will live with unrestricted access to the throne of grace. It is about learning to commune with our Maker. Prayer here and now is preparation for an eternity of communicating with God.
Written by Russ Ramsey
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149 thoughts on "Prayer"
I have similar journals as the devo said from my childhood – it is amazing to look at the faith that has carried me through so many challenging seasons and continues to sustain and guide me throughout every season of life.
I ask from God that i get better with my prayers !
Preparation for an ongoing conversation with the One ❤️ our maker, who listens to every thought and heeds every prayer.
Agreed. Praying in all stages and moments. Let him here the glory and feel the pain. Praying in all things and all parts of our life.
God help me to pray as You desire.
I want to become more consistent in my prayer life
It’s so comforting to me to know that I have a God that not only knows what I’m feeling, but he felt the same feelings when he was on earth. He was tempted in every way, yet chose not to sin. This DOES give me the confidence to know and see the grace he has for me when I’m in need. So special and intimate ❤️
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I feel challenged to pray in whatever circumstance- not just when I am asked or when I am desperate. I want to tell God when I am glad and content, sad or confused, or even just to thank him for his presence.
I pray regularly, but often pray absentmindedly. I’m thankful for the reminder to pray with intention – it’s an opportunity to commune with the Father. I forget how special that is.
Whew! So much to say about this one!! I am stirred to keep a constant conversation!
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Pray without ceasing
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Prayer will make you see God better. All you have to do is trust the direction you are being led to, as God will make your path less bumpy and more straight. Check my blog about Powerful Steps to Finding God
Hope this will help. Thank you.
Cheers,
Aura
This was what I needed to hear today. Thank you!
In different seasons my prayer life has looked different. In current season I feel kinda stuck. I like the idea of journaling so I can get everything out.
Thank you and bless you!
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This helped me learn more about prayer.. Thankful for the words :)
Love this
I’ve never thought that as prayer matures over time it is preparing us for the way we will communicate with God for eternity. Wow!!!
The topic of prayer is very near + dear to my heart this year and I love how God continues to show me new growth through His word here! ♥️
I love the idea that prayer is one long extended conversation with an audience of One.
This reading was amazing and perfectly written to speak to my heart.
I truly enjoyed reading this. I have been slacking in prayer. I kept a journal as well which i need to start writing in again! This was a great reminder of how powerful and important prayer is.
This is so beautiful
Thank you for your words… they’ve inspired me to be more consistent and persistent in my prayer life.
I woke up today with Romans 12:12 on my mind and then saw that it was a verse for today’s lesson. So amazing how the Lord does that. I want to be more disciplined in prayer and meet with Him daily!
I really like the idea that prayer is the language of the kingdom of God. So powerful
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Praise God forever. We have access to Him in prayer. To grow, learn about Him. Commune in relationship with Him.
When I struggle to pray, I pray this hymn
Arahina e te Atua
Tiakina e te Atua
Arohaina e te Atua
Āmine
Which means
Lead us, O Lord
Care for us, O Lord
Love us, O Lord
Amen
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I have also had great advice to turn my thoughts into prayer. I can’t say that I have been disciplined in this lately but there are so many powerful benefits to doing this. I find it keeps me focused on the truth about myself and life, I’m more apt to ask God for guidance. I highly recommend trying this.
What a cool reminder that prayer is learning the language of the kingdom before our eternity with God! No wonder he commands us to come boldly before the throne of grace!
Instead of lots of words and sentences, even a list to keep you focused and to reflect back on can be helpful. There are several guided prayer journals available as well.
Erin I loved what you wrote, ‘God will not prepare me for a battle I could not fight.’ Prayer is such an integral part of that preparation. But with God by our side we have nothing to fear!
Yes, me too.
Prayer has always been a struggle for me. I have a hard time shutting EVERYTHING off and having nothing but the conversation going on with God.
Anyone have tips that would help me?
I have prayer journaled before and really loved it. I need to get back to doing it regularly.
I really struggle with a prayer journal. I see such value in keeping one but the discipline of writing is hard for me. Any suggestions?
Last year I decided to be more dedicated to my prayer life. As I look back over the past year, I’ve grown. A lot. As I was erasing my 2020 vision board, there was a note “God will not prepare me for a battle I could not fight. “ I reread over that so many time. Many prayers were prayed during various hard seasons in my life. I won. I went thru the fire and didn’t come out smelling like smoke! Not perfect but I’m growing in my prayer life
For 2021, I’ve really wanted to watch my prayer life grow especially after 2020 and all the life changes we faced. I kept going back to the song I need Thee Every Hour and thought I need to pray every hour and take that song literally. I downloaded a prayer app called Echo which was free. It holds my prayers I’ve typed out and I set it from 9-6 to go off once an hour to remind me to pray.
It has helped so much!! What’s so ironic is almost every time it has gone off I’m in a place where I should have already been praying over something. It has blessed and challenged me and it’s not just a checklist item but but an ongoing conversation with the One who loves me most.
I encourage you to try it out if you need the help!
The key to any relationship is communication …including that with God!
Well said! Very influencing to my prayer life. Thank you.
To be joyful in hope – yes and amen
The visual written here of how God is our audience of One really puts things into perspective for me. He is always there and always listening. There’s never a time where we are without Him and that is the most comforting and peace-giving news!
I do not sleep well at night. I find those long hours, sometimes kept awake by pain, are wonderful times to speak with the Lord and listen to Him. I have learned to be thankful for them.
This brought to my mind the scene of Jesus in the garden, he came and asked his disciples, Can’t you stay up to watch and pray with me for one hour? The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, oh boy isn’t this statement so true? When we pray, though our flesh might be falling asleep or fighting against the urge to pray, it is because, For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want (Galatians 5:17 NIV). But ladies, fight against all distractions, fight the thoughts that can take you out of that prayer closet (I might need to check on the kids, etc.), quiet these thoughts and PRAY. A day is like a thousand years to the Lord. If he asks us to stay up and spend 1 hour in prayers with him, it is like he is asking us to spend 41 years in His presence.
It is important to listen during prayers, as He answers and speaks in response to us. Prayer is a dialogue. Be still and listen, very crucial. In the presence of God is the fulness of joy. I pray that we are empowered by the strength and fullness of joy through prayers with God. He imparts wisdom to solutions of our problems during prayers. He calms us and hugs us during prayers. I pray that we are filled with a strong desire to pray daily, to seek His face in our prayer closet, and may we encounter Him, experience Him through our fervent prayers. Praise the Lord for His goodness and love.
Amen thank you so grateful for The Word and the in site they both spoke to me
Me too! God wants a relationship with us! That is so beautiful and humbling.
For me consistency in prayer has been a struggle. Not that I don’t have an incredible model in my mom. Perhaps my difficulty comes from trying to live up to the “standard.” Some of my deepest, most honest times in prayer have occurred on the dirt trails while running. I only share to say that the conversation with God can happen anywhere. If the quiet of the morning doesn’t work for you, you aren’t defective. (What a good reminder to myself!) Find a way that allows the communication to flow. He’s listening.
Always love to read the Prayer of the Lord!
Thank you!
I’m encouraged by today’s readings-he is near and he wants to hear my humble heart.
Amen
Yes! That quote stood out to me so much! I never thought of how prayer is one long extended conversation with God. Very powerful!
I love how he said our thoughts are for an audience of one. I need to take every thought captive and make sure it is for the glory of God. He hears me and is there for me always.
This is great one!! Another I’ve heard is ACTS: Adoration. confession. Thanksgiving. Supplication. I love good tools to help us pray!
During these stressful times, when our country seems to be under God’s judgment and Wrath, I have been reading the book of habakkuk out loud. There are many wonderful words from our Lord and that book and I can hear the grieving of the prophet as he Converses with the Lord. My feelings exactly. I often pray scripture, and right now I am praying the words and the prophet, “In wrath, remember mercy”. Even in the midst of these years, His work, His great saving acts will be known.
I know that God hears our prayers because he’s answered mine, some require persistence.
Amen! I thought the exact same thing!
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This reading comforted my heart and made me feel so at peace.
God answers our prayers. It may not be how we thought it would look or in our timing, but he ALWAYS hears them and what we ask for he will give us. Learning to believe this in my core. Striving to be the persistent woman in my prayer life.
This is good stuff. I use to use a journal and have gotten away from that and can feel in my heart and spirit I need it. For those wanting to journal and not really know where to start or how to start, I recommend looking up Becky Tirabassi! As a teenager, my youth pastor’s wife told me about her and the prayer journal she has using P.A.R.T. Praise, admit, requests, and thanks- always helps me get my heart in the right position and the rest just flows after Praising God and what He has done and who He is! SO thankful for the ability to connect with Jesus
The Lord is near and He hears me! For me, prayer is the act of crawling onto His lap so He can hold me close.
I think a lot of us need Gods grace lately … (16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.) definitely a good one to hear with the recent world events. God knows what’s on, this has been planned. He knows our story. Let us get right by God and live to his measures. ❤️
Here is a link to a message from Dr. Charles Stanley that I thought about when reading the Scripture from Hebrews. He challenges the people to get on their knees and pray that Scripture to God. He tells us that we can come boldly, but he says to also come reverently by getting on our knees. It’s better to hear him, because there’s more to it. If you just want to mainly hear this part start around the 39 minute mark. The message is entitled: Where to Turn in Time of Need! https://youtu.be/PlgFpXJXW38
Wow! Love this! Prayer is an area I am working on this year. But I find it so fitting that Romans 12:12 came up today. We must be persistent in coming the the father on behalf of those who lead this country. Even when we don’t agree with them.
I have been praying a whole lot more the last couple of days. Lord we need you more than ever
I am so thankful that I have a Heavenly Father who I can always go to. I know that at times I take this luxury for granted. I am sorry for not always having a passion for praying. I know that I want to be more intentional about praying this new year.
This study continues to bless me mightily! What a beautiful thing to be able to commune with God, to have access to Him through the language of the Kingdom… we are blessed!
Really really good timing on this one. We need prayer more than ever. Thankful for the reminder that I can continually go to God and ask him for something over and over, and if it aligns with his heart, he will grant it. Beautiful.
Needed to hear this one today. My advice is talk to God as if he were your best friend. I fear what the world will be like in 2021. I feel this was the answer saying “pray about it.”
My word for 2021 is pray. So I knew today would be special and it really was. Today was my ah hah moment in this study where I feel like things finally clicked for me.
Loved the devotional today ❤️
Thank you to Russ Ramsey for his excellent devotional. Perfect timing. ❤️
I felt so much sadness yesterday and had to tell myself over and over, WE may not understand why things happen as they do, but God does. After reading today’s message, two passages really stood out to me today. “God sees things perfectly, even when we can’t. Our personal feelings do not dictate what is actually true.” Ephesians 1:18 and “Rejoice in hope; Be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer”. Romans 12:12. I will continue to go back to these to keep me centered during this difficult time.
Karen, I totally agree with you, I typically will out off praying for a “later time” (whenever that is) but lately I too have been making a conscience effort to pray out loud and immediately!
My church read Draw the circle the past few years and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I’m sure you will get many more nuggets !
I absolutely needed this today
So Russ hit home with this devotion today, especially the last paragraph. I like how he said prayer is a way of preparing us to communicate with God and Christ. In our book it asks for an example of good prayer, when my father or aunt are asked to pray for someone they would add them to their prayer list. I remember my father asking how that person was and then he would either continue to pray for them or give praise for them. I can also remember being in the emergency room a few times and my father being there, he would quietly pray over me. I could hear him but no one else could. There have been times, throughout my day I will say a prayer, either about something I read or hear or even see.
Have a blessed day sisters.
One of my favorite resources for prayer is the little spiral-bound “Prayer Map for Women.” (They have kid versions as well). I have used it for a couple years now and it is magical to me. I don’t write in it every day, but when I really need to pray fervently, it’s always part of the experience.
Thank you for this emphasis on prayer. I will hold Romans 12:12 close to my heart. Thank you for this study.
I find that I avoid prayer. I think about it constantly throughout my day but do whatever I can to avoid it, but have prayed the last 3 days. I love the thought that prayer is an extended conversation w God! What a beautiful way to approach prayer. I am also doing the 40 day prayer challenge and todays lesson was also on prayer. It focused on praying through and praying away. I think understand now that in this extended conversation w God, thatvis isn’t always about praying away problems or asking for what I want but that it is also about praying thru and realizing God is using these things to develop and grow me. I don’t want to fear prayer or avoid prayer. How blessed are we to have such an open line to communicate w our creator at any time we chose and know we are being heard?!!
I love this too!! Such a wonderful reminder that our Father is always listening to our every need!
Being patient in affliction has been soooo difficult. In this verse, I know God reminds me to rejoice in hope!! to be persistent in prayer! These acts would then become the wings that support and help develop within me patience in affliction. Lord, make me familiar with your hope again. In my desperation, I pray. In hope I will see and be glad. In affliction, I know I will find you in the waiting.
ALL- so I couldn’t believe it, I had to come back here to post this. I read so many comments about ppl wanting to get into prayer/learn how/etc… in my inbox today was an announcement from FaithGateway.com and they are starting a Prayer Study in the next couple of weeks! Crystal Evans Hurst is the author of the study and I can bet it will be thoughtful and effective. Just thought someone here may want to know about it! :) You can go to Faith Gateway’s site and download some printables there :)
Prayer has been the discipline hardest for me to learn. I had some bad instruction when I was young and it made it hard to find my prayer rhythm. I’m so thankful God doesn’t give up on me. Progress not perfection, that’s been my reminder. So glad to be in this study with you all!
I have found when I don’t know how to pray for someone I pray Scripture. Today as we navigate these difficult days I was drawn to the book of Habakkuk. “How long, Lord, must I call for help and you do not listen or cry out to you and you do not save? 2 Why do you make me look at injustice?..” Habakkuk 3, “Lord, I have heard the report about you; Lord, I stand in awe of your deeds. Revive your work in these years; make it known in these years. In your wrath remember mercy!” God’s word never returns void. Pray with me, please. Thank you, SRT sisters!
Romans 12:12 stood out for me this morning and the parable of the persistent widow. It was during some very hard times. But…. (as I take a deep breath) I’m so thankful I am no longer there. I never thought I would be where I am today but so grateful I am. I’m not who I use to be and it’s because of Jesus. During those hard times I clung to Jesus tighter, my quiet time became my lifeline, Jesus walked with me every step of the way. And when I couldn’t walk any longer, His, were the footprints on the sand. Prayer. My prayer and the prayer of those close to me helped me to be who I am today. My God, My Jesus gets ALL the glory.
I used to have a prayer journal as well. Not sure why I stopped. I love that we can have one long continuing conversation with God. He doesn’t say He’s busy. He’s always available to us. How can we ignore that. He is sitting here waiting patiently for us to come to Him. I do not want to ignore Him any longer.
I started keeping a prayer journal a few months ago. I write down what is on my heart in that moment and present my thanks & requests to God. I hope to look back in future years and see how prayers have been answered in God’s perfect timing.
I use to write down my prayers abs journal all the time. I think now that life has gotten more busy I have put that aside, but am encouraged today to restart and see the journey and spiritual growth through God’s blessings. This last year I had my daughter at 29 weeks and she was in the NICU. God showed me the power of prayer through that experience and the importance of the body of Christ.
I thought the same thing…an ongoing conversation is what I always need to keep at the forefront of my mind.
Excellent written devotional! I love…prayer is about learning to move through this life in one extended conversation with the Lord, where every thought has an audience of One.
I have always thought I was bad at prayer. I usually write my prayers or just write a list of people I want to pray for and what I want to pray for next to their names. There’s no real asking or talking happening. I don’t often go to God to ask for anything for myself. Not trying to be selfless, I just often don’t get to it. I struggle with what to say and how to say it. I know he knows my heart but I do need to do better about being in conversation with him.
“Prayer as a spiritual discipline is about more than asking God for things. It is about learning to move through this life in one long extended conversation with the Lord, where every thought had an audience of one. It is about learning a language that will carry on into eternity…”
LOVE this quote. It is something we will learn and keep learning now and forever more. Pray continually— it’s not having an ever growing laundry list of wishes, it’s learning to live in that constant Jesus dialogue as we go through life.
To Darci, and others thinking of a prayer journal- I have found that it really helps me focus. There is no exact formula, and it is yours! But taking time to write down prayers, praises, and confessions, will always be a good exercise in focused prayer. I skip days, and seasons, it when I come back to my journal, it always helps me. If I can’t think of who I need to pray for, I look back a few pages in my journal. God always uses that time of writing, even if it is just a few lines. I know I done have to write down prayers for God to hear them, yet I find that I reminded of his listening to my prayers when I see them written out. A recent book I am enjoying on prayer is “Threadbare Prayer” by Stacey Thacker. They are simple prayers based on Scripture.
Amen, Debbie! I had similar thoughts.
A great story worth reading for pleasure is The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate! It is a great feel good story and also shows you the benefits of writing your prayers down.
Prayer is a language. The language of the kingdom of God ❤
Prayer is powerful! I have struggled being disciplined in prayer lately! In a time of great distress I prayed every moment I was awake and I miss that closeness with God although not the disparity I was living in: Mark Battersons books on prayer are a great tool for anyone wanting to dive deeper into prayer- the circle maker and draw the circle. Thanks for reminding me to get back to this discipline: It bring such strength,hope, peace, and is truly abiding in God.
Prayer….so many ways to dissect and interpret this word. I too used to struggle with prayer. I thought it had to be like the prayers we hear aloud at church, all fluid and perfect! But no, prayer is a conversation with God, anywhere, anytime, anyhow! It is relevant to include thanks, confession, repenting, and asking, and for these, I do like to journal! But otherwise, prayer is an all-day thought process and conversation and that has grown my spiritual life tremendously!
I started journaling when I went through a divorce when I had to fall to my knees in despair and heartbreak. Of course, looking back, that is when my REAL relationship with Jesus began rather than the “Sunday” communion with him. I still journal years later, and it is amazing how it plugs you in! I have plain notebooks, prayer books, journals, they all are perfect! It’s amazing to look back through them and see that they are all truly “prayer” with me and my maker!
I absolutely love this quote
“[prayer] is about learning to move through this life in one long extended conversation with the Lord where every thought has an audience of One.”
An audience of ONE! We live in an era where we are consumed by finding validation through social media. What a beautiful idea… The ultimate audience of ONE!
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Darci, I find this blog helpful on setting up a prayer journal. You can check out her post on a prayer notebook, also. Before I read this, it was really daunting to consider, but I love that she prays for certain things each day of the week. https://intentionalbygrace.com/how-i-set-up-my-new-prayer-journal/
Lord, thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you Lord for not abandoning us during these hard times. I pray that you would fill us with your spirit and we can unite as a Church to continue to do your good work. Please give me the strength to heal and to remove sin from my life. Amen.
Lord, breathe peace into us this morning. Help us to trust you more in this time. Help us to stand firm in faith and hope that we have victory. You are still in Your throne and Your plans are better than anything we can imagine. Show us how to love, show us how to shine for You. Amen
I love how the Lord already knows what we need, so we can ask in confidence.
One of my favorite prayer resources has been Val Marie Paper. She has blog posts, free content and prayer journals that are structured to help grow your prayer life! Highly recommend!!
In Luke 18:1 the “need” to pray always and not give up stood out to me today. Why is it a “need”? I think verse 8 answers my question…it says that God WILL grant his people justice (so not praying doesn’t mean that God won’t bring justice) and then asks if the Son of Man will find faith on earth.
Maybe we NEED to pray always and not give up because we NEED to keep our faith in Christ. To cease praying is to give up our faith. This is a challenge to me! Do I place my faith in Christ alone or in the “answers” I see to my prayers?
I am encouraged this morning by the fact that God not only hears our prayers, but is able to sympathize with our struggles. “Let us then with confidence draw near the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16”
Darci-Every morning I open my Bible I add a journal writing, before, during or after my reading. You can reflect on what was read or how you feel about the reading. Sometimes I just rewrite scripture I read. I usally start it with a “Good Morning Lord!” I might ask that He guides me in my understanding or reflections. I might write questions down that I have or something I didn’t understand.
Prayer…the most important thing to remember is that is a conversation with a loved one. One way I think about it is through an acronym PRAT THAT…PRAT is for Praise, Repent, Ask, Thank; THAT is for To, Him, All, Things. I start out praising Him and giving Him glory for something positive in my life or what He’s made; a nice warm bed or a beautiful sunset. Then I ask for forgiveness; as NO sin is too small; Christ shed His BLOOD for me! This helps me to reflect on my thoughts, how I’ve treated other, things I have done and know it was not God like and things I neglected doing, knowing it would have been pleasing to the Lord. If I have a request, that is next. I ask Him…and sometimes I’m pretty specific! :-) Finally, I thank Him for hearing me, spending time with me and being here for me. To HIM ALL THINGS…helps me remember even in difficult times, I know He is next me, allowing me to see the work He is doing in my life. I know this is long, but I hope it helps you get started.
So perfectly timed.
It’s interesting to me that even Jesus prayed when here on Earth…..even though I would think he was the most in tune human being who ever walked the earth when it came to communication with God. Love this message today ❤️
Darci. As Russ says “move through this life in one long extended conversation with the Lord “. He is ALWAYS with you. It is us who are not paying attention to Him “Turn your eyes upon Jesus “. Invite Him in.
I look back on some of my prayer journals I agree would not want anyone to read but me. It reminds of when I thought I had it all together, but then God
So thankful for this word today! Wow, God’s goodness and faithfulness to provide us with these studies, exactly when we need them…I’m humbled and so very thankful!
Lord help me to rejoice in hope. So many people I know are hoping things will be the same. I do not have that hope. It has been a year and I still can not go into my favorite restaurant and sit down and have a meal. Let my hope be in you and face reality of this situation. Holy Spirit lead me to those I can help to deal with things as they are in the here and now and give me your wisdom and words. Now I am thankful for growing up as an only child.
Darci, I have used ACTS to guide me in prayer until I got the hang of it and felt more confident.
A- Adoration
C- Confession
T- Thanksgiving
S- supplication
That was my favorite line too. ❤️
I love that too!
“…where every thought has an audience of One”
It appears that we as Christians need to spend time in prayer for a good many things at the moment. I believe God sees and hears our prayers, even as we intercede for others. Father, hear our prayers.
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Hey Darci! You can do it! Just get a journal/notebook. Take a few minutes everyday (I like to get up before the sun or my kids are up) and start writing. I usually start by praising God for who He is—God you are good! God you are patient! God you are merciful! I may even find scripture that talks about those attributes and write them down. And sometimes I write down specific ways I’ve seen Him be that in my life. Then I usually say/write a prayer of thanksgiving for what He has done, is doing or will do in my life. (I use scripture here too if I can find it!). Usually there is something on my heart that I want to petition or intercede on another’s behalf for, so I pray that prayer! I just carry those prayers with me for the rest of the day and sometimes add things to my journal over the course of the day! Praying for you!
@Darci Michelle You may want to try following this formula and just writing each category:
PRAY
Praise
Repent
Ask
Yield
Yesterday, when the discipline was fellowship, I had wanted to thank the SRT sisters in the UK, Ireland, and other parts of the world when they reached out regarding shutdowns due to Covid. I deal with Covid, in-person in my classroom daily, and as much as possible I try to not think about it at home. But, that being said, I am thankful that this is a community of people from around the country and the world. I am thankful to be able to lift in prayer people from other parts of this planet that our God has created. Thank you for sharing the struggles from your areas, near or far so that we may lift you up. In our area, while we must wear masks if we go out, and are encouraged stay home as much as possible…I still have 5 teenage girls who come weekly (most of the time) for dinner and Bible study. They are virtual for school right now so, other than our families, we are each other’s “bubble of people.” I also have 2-3 ladies closer to my age who come on Saturday mornings for breakfast and Bible study. I am really the most “dangerous” of the group as I am exposed to kiddos every day, and while I am careful, I do work with the children. Whether to get together or not weighs heavy on us all. Just before Thanksgiving and Christmas, my small groups did not meet, so that if our extended family was able to get together, we would not have the risk of giving anything to grandparents and great-grandparents (if we saw them). Also, of the 5 girls, 4 have had Covid. Every single time, the week prior to someone getting sick, either that person had to miss our meeting or we could not meet as a whole group. I feel that was God going before us, protecting us while allowing our desire to fellowship in His name and learn more about Him. Only 1 of the girls had a youth group and it is not meeting right now. They need this time with each other, we need this time with each other, to fight fear and stand together in faith for Jesus.
Church has been another story. Until reading people’s posts, I did not realize how many people either are were not attending church prior to the pandemic or just are not able to now. We watched 3 different churches during the shutdown portion of the pandemic. We found ourselves being challenged in our walk with the Lord in one of the churches, (not the one we normally attend). On Wednesday nights we watch and pray along with their prayer meeting. I pray that God will protect us, His children, from becoming okay with only digital, and missing out on the one to one in person. I recognize there are reasons some may not be able to attend. That makes it even more important for those of us who have either had Covid, or are not as much at risk, to reach out to them with calls, cards, groceries, whatever God lays on our hearts.
Today is about prayer, it seems I cannot get enough of it. Our nation and the world is a mess. Last night in the prayer meeting, the pastor guided us in prayer, through scripture, for our nation and the world. Seasons as well as moments in my life have held various modes of prayer. Certainly it happens all day in conversation with the Lord. Sometimes I journal. Sometimes I kneel. Sometimes I curl up in the arms of my Father. Sometimes alone, or with my husband, a small group in person, or a large group online. Prayer is one of those things I am lost without. It is communication with my God. It is a vessel that brings hope, peace, yoke’s my load to Him, and allows me to say, “thank you.” It is also something that God is continually developing in me and that always needs (or I want) more time in than I have/give.
I look forward to the day when the prayers become face to face conversation…face to face, yes Lord. Thank you for You in my yesterday, in my today, in my tomorrows…until that day! I will trust in You.
Prayer as preparation for eternity of communication with God.
There are so many things I love about this reading of prayer. The mean verse, Romans 2:12 really stuck out to me. Such simple and powerful directions that can guide us through so many seasons in our life. We will suffer, but there is hope to rejoice in because God is near and if we are persistent in prayer we will find His truth lives on in our lives. I also love the idea of prayer not being a be all, end all. We don’t just pray and then everything is different and better suddenly. Prayer is a lifelong connection that we make with God. Something we grow in and find courage through. Like any other relationship, our relationship with God requires us to put in our time and effort to bring ourselves to the feet of God in humble surrender. Luckily, unlike any other relationship, God is already there waiting and will not leave if we make the choice to continue to draw near.
❤️
I love how in the podcast with John Mark Comer it was said that this spiritual discipline of prayer is really tied to each of the other practices and it’s so true. I really don’t take full advantage of the gift that prayer is, but I’m feeling encouraged by these words!
I struggle with prayer. I know I need to do it. But I sometimes think I don’t know how. Can anyone give me advice on how to start a prayer journal like the one the author mentioned?
I loved reading that prayer is a language we use to speak to our Father.
A good reminder to me of how God values persistence in prayer and faith.
Sometimes I’ll read, but not leave time to pray. Or vice versa … He is so faithful and always working in us. Help us all Lord do better.
“Unrestricted access to the throne of grace” when I read that I thought don’t we already have unrestricted access to the throne of grace given to us by Jesus death and resurrection to bridge that gap between us and God? We are so limited by our humanity and I cannot wait to experience God face-to-face!
I too use to struggle with prayer. Now I talk with Him all day, it starts as I awake, going to the door, and inviting The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit into my home. I find that as I talk to Him there is no room for negative thoughts and feelings. He leads me to peace, smiles and doing for others.
“Prayer here and now is preparation for an eternity of communicating with God.” LOVE THIS!
Prayer is something I really struggle with. I think about praying, I think about what I need. I think about how great God is, but I have a hard time stopping to pray. I really liked the idea of the prayer journals the author had. I wish I could be better at journaling and keeping up with something like that.
Me either! This is a great point!
Bowing my head in prayer alongside other believers in the quiet sanctuary of a praying church is what I miss. My current church rarely provides quiet time within the service for prayer. There’s an opening and closing prayer said by a pastor but rarely does the congregation have the opportunity to pray silently or to recite the Lord’s Prayer in unison and aloud. Perhaps this has changed as I have not been attending due to Covid concerns there. However, my personal prayer life has extended and gone deeper in these months of isolation. Scripture speaks louder and I find myself speaking to the Lord more often and about anything that comes to mind. I smile just thinking about the “conversations” we’ve had over the most mundane things. Isn’t this what “praying without ceasing” means? Taking all to Him. Sitting awhile. Talking. Listening. Or chatting on the go. Noting His presence in the moment. Whatever and wherever, it is the sweetest of communions.
Yes, I thought the same thing. So good.
God you are merciful, you are love. Thank you for all you’ve done for me.
“Prayer here and now is preparation for an eternity of communicating with God.“ I’ve honestly never thought of it that way but wow! This idea makes prayer seem that much more intimate and crucial.
Lord i thank you