When is a good time to pray? And where is a good place to pray?
Simple: always and everywhere …right?
According to passages like Acts 4:23-31; yes! Here Peter and John show us an amazing picture of Christian community. They had just been arrested and held for healing a lame beggar, and when they are finally released, they rush to tell their friends.
They probably weren’t at a church.
It probably wasn’t during an appointed “prayer meeting”.
But goodness, the Word tells us, “when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God,” and prayed a prayer of thanksgiving. “And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”
Always! And everywhere! Pray!
We are to pray without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17), whether we are alone, in a group or one-on-one in conversation with a friend. He wants us to be in such a relationship with Him that a talk with a girlfriend (or our spouse or our children) would naturally flow into “Let’s go to God about this”, or “can I pray for you now?”.
But… those questions I asked earlier? The ones about when and where to pray? There is more to be said.
Not only should we feel free to approach the Throne anytime and anyplace with any need; but relationship with the Father also develops through meeting regularly at a specific time and an appointed place.
Corrie Ten Boom said, “Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.” So what about you? Do you have a standing appointment with The Lord?
Perhaps you have a specific place that is quiet, private, screen- and distraction-free? Maybe it’s a place that is comfortable (but not too comfortable), set up with your Bible, pens, highlighters, a journal, maybe even a candle. Do you go there before the kids wake up or after they’ve gone to bed? Do you meet Him at a coffee house, in your cubicle, on the front porch or – as I once heard – in your “Jesus chair”?
Do you look forward to this time? How do you feel when you’ve missed it?
Sisters, tomorrow we will talk more about putting praying alone and praying in community into practice. In the meantime, I encourage you to take some time today looking up the following short passages to read more about quiet prayer times in the Bible: Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12, Acts 10:9, Daniel 6:10.
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27 thoughts on "the everywhere + the somewhere"
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WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share… waiting for more.
I so appreciate this community. I make worship videos and just thought that some of you might be blessed by a video I made to Desert Song. Here is the link http://scripturesquegraphics.com/
I hope I didn't break any rules sharing this. I just felt led to do this today. Much Grace ladies
May I please who is the devotion writer?
She Reads Truth is written by several ladies. If you go to the "who" tab at the top, you can see who they are. This particular devotion series was written by Raechel… And she did an outstanding job!!!
Amen. A wonderful series.
After I get ready in the morning, I can’t wait to sit down and jump into my devo’s, and SRT is my favorite. With my cuppa joe, it is so uplifting starting my day in the word. I try to remember to ask God to open my heart before I start, but after, I then have “my standing appointment with God” (love that). It definitely starts my day off with God’s peace & joy, which I truly need as I work with the public. I’m trying to incorporate a time spent in quiet meditation, with my heart open to God’s Holy Spirit, for direction.
I love this time, and I never want to start my day without it.
SRT Sisters, blessings to you all. I know it was no mistake I found this site. God’s perfect plan…
So agree about SRT!
I get up in the morning and try to have my bible study during that time. But I realized with this study, that I never really sit down to just pray. I am usually at church or before meals, or reading my bible, etc. There is usually agenda or a reason. But feel I need to make time to just sit and have a conversation and talk with Heavenly Father.
Thank you for this wonderful lesson on prayer, it has really opened my eyes today.
Lovin’ this devo! I spend my time with God in the mornings. Over the last 10 years, or so, I’ve developed a morning routine of spending time reading The Word, reading some other devotionals, journaling, and then time in prayer…and most recently, doing the SRT devotional. My actual time in prayer, though, has suffered, I think, in doing as many devos as I do. Need to get more focused on actual time conversing with God. So great, as always, to learn from what all of you wonderful women are doing. Think I’ll try a few of the things some of you all do. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
My time with the lord begins as soon as i get the kids out the door to school. (unless i need to shoot a quick one up in the process of getting them ready,haha!) But I really cant imagine my day any other way now. I start with thanking Him, praising him for letting me still be a part of His creation with my kids everyday, and move onto other needs for friends, family, SRT and where ever He leads me.
Then i do the devo and read the text for it, then comments. By reading the comments I can then pray for anyone in our community or whatever is laid on my heart . I still have so much to learn that it helps so much to read other's thoughts on whatever we may be studying. my problem is sticking with it thru the day/evening. I'd really like to end my day with Him, just as i start it with Him!
AmyKelly i really like how you've come up with so many ways to stay focused on Him! i've read just a few posts on your blog, and would love to implement some of your methods.
Anymore ideas on continuing to keep Him first and foremost thru the day/night?
Yesterday's devo has been stuck in my mind too. I've alwaqys done my plan/comments on my phone. I had NO IDEA that comments could be liked or given a thumbs down!! I had seen comments about "sorry, i meant to hit like" but I thought that pertained to Twitter or Instagram, which i don't use….Duh!! For the first time I'm commenting on the SRT site and see this now! But i do go on Facebook once or twice a week and share some little thing Christian related…should i be putting more up to draw former classmates, friends out? I feel a little hesitant to put a lot out there because of the political atmosphere…i really don't care if folks think i'm a Jesus"freak", but i don't want to turn people off either… Again, any thoughts are appreciated!
Blessings to all of you today!
With having so many illnesses to deal with one would think I’m in prayer 24/7 not so. I was sleeping all day and I mean all day getting up at noon but not going to sleep until midnight. Yet still did not take out real time to spend with The Lord. I would talk to him but not really spend time with him. Then I found Soul Detox and Srt and now this is the first thing I do no matter what time I wake up. I sometimes don’t even go to the bathroom until I’m done reading what has been posted here. I have been spending prayer time after my devotions but now I have to learn how to do the study time. Years ago I had a way to study the Word but now it seems I’m lost. But I believe God will and is restoring all that was lost.
It is so interesting to read all of the comments about how we pray or don't pray enough. I have ADHD when it comes to prayer. I have found 2 ways that I can pray effectively. First, while I am running. I run every morning and it is usually dark and I am usually alone and this is great time with the Lord. My body is well occupied so my mind and heart can slow down to hear God. The other way that I can really pray well is to write my prayers. I pull our my Moleskin and just write it all down. Much Grace Ladies
I am the same way. Running & being active outdoors is my favorite way to pray! If I am inside & being quiet, writing gives me that same level of connection & awareness.
"Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live." – 1 Thess 5:17 MSG
I read in the Message this morning, and it included the verses around Luke 5:16; this verse in conjunction with the one above, speaks to me about how, as a daughter of Christ, my life should be lived:
"…your cleansed & obedient life, not your words, will bear witness to what I've done." – Luke 5:14
A prayerful, cheerful woman living a cleansed & obedient life that puts Christ's love on display. That's the woman I want to be!
This has become my morning routine as well, and its definitely for the better. I started by reading Soul Detox, and to be honest, most mornings I was saying, okay, God, I'm not sure what you're saying to me with this. But then I read Songs of Ascent, and then the Holy Week devotion, and there it was. Breakthrough. God had me where I needed to be to finally let myself feel his love and grace and mercy.
So yeah, before I scroll Facebook, before I see what the new Pins are, I look forward to my SRT time. It has given my prayer life a much-needed facelift. I love the verse especially, and yet so simple, "pray continually."
Have a blessed Friday, sisters!
I can echo many of your comments here today. I found SRT through You Version Bible. That was several months ago and I have been drawn back here more and more frequently for several reasons. For sometime I feel GOD has been calling me to spend more time with HIM. Not in my usual "checklist" fashion and not so hit and miss. I was reading Reuben Torrey's "the Power of Prayer" the other day and in it he writes "Oh, here is the secret of becoming much like GOD by remaining long alone with GOD. If you won't stay long with HIM, you won't be much like HIM." I am so guilty of letting hustle and bustle crowd out my time with GOD. And I must be honest, laziness played a part also. I know I can always send up the quick on the fly prayers but I sense I need longer more on purpose time in prayer. The discipline of the daily reading plans that SRT offers helps me form the habits that will lead me into those times.
I said there were several reasons I find myself here…the others being the excellent content of these devotions and the warm, honest, GOD-focused women who share their hearts here. I may not comment often but I am here and I am grateful you all are also.
“Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees.” I love that quote from Corrie Ten Boom!
I tend to pray throughout the day…say quick prayers as I'm busily cleaning or cooking or even watching the news, but I struggle with setting a time aside, sitting still, and just praying. I feel like I'm wasting time if my hands aren't busy. Maybe it's my personality. Maybe it's our culture.
So, I'm praying today that God will help me to set up that appointment and keep it, because nothing else could be more important that fellowship with Him!
My prayer life definitely needs improvement. Unfortunately, I do not have a truly quiet place to pray. We are trying to set one up for both of us to each do this. but the comment about how I can do it even at work, in my cube, between calls, even though others are around… that is so cool! I am getting better, but sometimes, when I try to talk to god, I draw a blank. I do think maybe journaling and writing them out might help. but I don't always take the time. I really need to. thank you for this today.
My morning routine is my ultimate favorite part of my day! My bible, SRT journal, mocha, and I'm set to start through my devotions. By the time I am finished with those I can hardly wait for worship! I love music myself and have always liked to start my praying off with worship music and singing to the Lord. Worship breaks strongholds and there is power in praise! Then I am ready to enter into prayer.
I used to be a "whenever" type of person abut prayer but I learned years ago that if I started my day with HIM then He would be with me all day long. And what a difference it made in my life and every day living! The more time I spent in prayer the more time I WANTED to spend! I truly gained strength in worship.
No matter what was going on in my life if I could get alone with God and throw up my hands in surrender and WORSHIP Him and let His presence wash over me then I knew everything was going to be alright because He was with me! Nothing else mattered!
I so appreciate the devotions too and the community afforded here. There is strength in numbers!
Seems like I have always prayed to God. Long prayers, long conversations. Since I was a little girl. I’ m sure its what kept me sane, kept me hoping, through years of abuse. Who else could I tell? Even then God was hiding me in ‘that secret place’.
And even though my prayers have evolved I haven’t. I still have to have my time. Along drawn out conversation. Yes AmyKelly213 I too can relate to what you’re saying about loneliness. For much of my life I bore the shame of abuse. I turned inward and looked up. It is amazing how God works All things out for them that love the Lord.
I normally get up around 5am when its quiet. The firstfruits of the day.
I found this community by accident, yeah right! Nothing in the Kingdom is by accident. I look forward to seeing what thus saith the Lord. Now am I not only praying, but studying, researching
growing, in his grace.
Lord, on such a Fabulous Friday when I’ve prayed, when I have petioned, I want to hear you above
my own chatter, above the noises of the issues, my circumstances. Oh, Lord I am reminded this morning of just how long we have been together. Thank you for your never ending grace.
Thank you for this community. Ladies have a blessed weekend.
“I want to hear you above my own chatter, above the noises of the issues, my circumstances.” This is so right on! Thank you for sharing, it’s going in my prayer notes. Amen!
Amy I too stumbled on to this study. Since Jan. 1st I have been joining SRT every morning. It has become part of my daily routine. I look so forward to learning something new! Once again today He has spoken to me about starting earlier so that I have time to talk and listen and have a conversation with My Best Friend JESUS! I can’t tell you what an impact this community and study has had on my walk with The Lord. I feel very blessed.
In a very lonely place in my life, I stumbled upon SRT and began a devotion. I became hungry for more of God's Word and more of the community of sisters I was slowly getting to know. I woke every morning early to have this quiet time… with you sisters. Although I was growing in my walk with God, I was not seeking a relationship with Him in prayer. I would utter quick prayers to Him throughout my day, but never truly entered into a conversation with The Lord.
As one devotion ended and more began, I continued the habit of rising early and seeking fellowship with you ladies. I began reading your blogs in addition to your posts. You spoke often of prayer journals and and prayer dares and I became hungry for doing more.
I have said often that SRT saved me. It was the avenue God used for bringing me closer to Him. My early mornings are a bit earlier these days so that I can begin and end my devotion time in prayer with Him. I still utter those quick prayers throughout my day… But they are a continuation of a conversation that I have already started with God.
Thank you, Raechel, for this study. Thank you SRT and sisters for your fellowship and mentorship, and thank you Lord for using it all to Your Glory!!
you know what AmyKelly, i feel very much the same too!! SRT has changed my life, deeply & profoundly. most importantly, it has helped me to develop a relationship with God. i feel like a new woman.. the woman i am meant to be. in Christ. with Christ. bless you sister :)
How lovely! Amen!
so thankful you are a part of this community AmyKelly and that God brought you here!