Breath Prayers

Many of us read 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray continually,” and wonder, how? Clearly you cannot kneel in the middle of your busy office and recite the Lord’s Prayer (found in Matthew 6:9-13). When you do not have a candle or a chapel, you can quietly speak a petition in a single breath numerous times throughout the day.  Learn how here.

At a discount store, I overheard a woman talking on her cell phone, "I am definitely going to vote. But it seems like I need to do more."

She is right. We also need to pray about our upcoming midterm election. Please join me in praying these seven requests. 

1. Pray believers in America will return to . . . Continue

Teach Us to Pray 

Over the years many of us have used the Lord's Prayer in Luke 11:2-4 and Matthew 6:9-13 to learn or teach others how to pray.

However, I think Luke 11:1 contains some nuggets which many of us miss. The first sentence says, "One day Jesus was praying in a certain place." The best way to teach prayer is by example. Jesus' example served as the prerequisite for the disciple to ask his Lord to teach them to pray.

I can remember my frustration at a conference. During a workshop . . . Continue

SWAT Team for Your School

Some teachers are already at school organizing their rooms and materials. Parents, grandparents, and concerned citizens need to be in preparation too. School shootings have become far too common. It is time to act with a prayer SWAT team.

SWAT―Spiritual Warfare Attack Team―prayer teams create a hedge of protection through intercession. Prayer warriors use Ephesians 6:10-18 to protect our students and staff from . . . Continue

Summer Prayers

For many of us, the summer is a slower pace and a time to reflect on our relationship with God. We take vacations to places with scenic views and fun activities. So, I created these summertime prayers. Continue 

What Could Prayer Do for Your Neighborhood?

           Years ago, I experienced problems during my prayer time. When I prayed at night, I fell asleep. When I prayed early in the morning, I could not stay focused. My mind drifted to the tasks ahead of me.

I resolved this by starting a prayer journal. While some handwrite their prayers, I type mine in a journal. Either way works to maintain focus and attention on God.

Recently, I read an article by author Dillon Burroughs called, “How Handwriting Scripture Improves My Prayers.” His article reminded me of several things I noticed now that I journal my thoughts as I read scripture. After a time, my prayers and reflections on the passage blended together.

Although I have never met Burroughs, an avid blogger about handwriting scripture, we both concluded there are three benefits to writing prayers and scriptural phrases rather than skimming a prayer list and a passage in the Word.

1. Typing (me) or handwriting (Burroughs) forces us to slow down. Rather than beg or shout at our Lord to hurry and fix something, we took time to connect with God. Sometimes we need a quick prayer to resolve an issue, but prayer time should not be a panic.
2. Journaling causes us to be more specific in our prayers. Before typing or writing our prayers, our petitions were vague and unfocused. For example as I prayed through a prayer list of missionaries, I rarely got past, “Be with John and Carol in Argentina.”

However, if I type, John 14:14, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” This verse reminds me of challenges several of the individuals on my list have. So, I pray specifically for that missionary and the problem they face. I finish by praising God for the answer I know is coming.

3. Journaling makes our prayers more accurate. Our old prayer lives focused on what made life more convenient and comfortable. When we journaled scripture about Saul chasing David, Moses leading the Israelites, or Paul penning Philippians from prison, it brought about perspective. Our lives must center on bringing God the glory, not our own.

A Billy Graham Secret

Monday, April 07, 2014    Sermon Preparation

“One of the most powerful ways to pray for your pastor is to pray for his sermon preparation during the week. If we desire to have powerful sermons from a pastor, then we must cry out to God for the pastor as he prepares his sermons,” writes Kevin Meador in The Prayer Closet newsletter. I agree wholeheartedly.

First pray your pastor has his heart right with God so he can preach with authenticity. (1 John 1:9)

Ask the Lord to keep your pastor from interruptions during preparation time for his/her sermon. (Ephesians 6:12)

Intercede for your minister to preach both grace and truth and to correctly interpret the biblical text. (2 Timothy 2:15)

Ask the Holy Spirit to give your preacher the words and examples that will provide understanding and meet the needs of the flock. (2 Timothy 4:2)

Besides praying for the preparation of the preacher, we also need to ask God that those in the congregation will come prepared as well. Petition the Lord that members will attend services to hear the Word (not to put their time in, see friends and family, or a variety of other reasons). (Deuteronomy 12:28)

Pray those in the pews will apply the biblical precepts to their lives. (James 1:22)

Ask the Lord to thwart interruptions during the service. The enemy will use disruptive children, audio/visual problems, coughing, etc. to keep the audience from hearing biblical preaching. (1 Peter 5:8)

When both minister and member are prepared, the results will be powerful.



Thursday, March 20, 2014    Troubled

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” (John 14:1 NLT) This verse reminds me of the constancy of God’s answers to our prayers. We ask and then let the power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ take care of the problem. It maybe issues with health, relationships, or the workplace. Whatever it is, we are to trust in Him. Believing in His strength, our trust will turn into tranquillity. 

Monday, March 3, 2014     Plans

Before races volunteers pray beside each race car for its driver. The dangers of racing are well documented with videos and photos of horrific crashes. These events bring that day’s racing to a stop.

Life has “crashes” as well, which cause our schedules to come to a halt. It may be a parent who sits up all night or stays home from work because of a sick child. Your boss calls and tells you to fly to Chicago tomorrow to check on a large account. Maybe you become suddenly ill and are admitted to the hospital. These calamities and detours wreck our plans.

In Jeremiah 29:11 God says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Pray to know God’s plans for your life. It might be the Lord wants you to pray for your pastor daily.

 

Monday, April 22, 2013          Coffee with God

In 1988, I ran across Bill Hybels’ book, Too Busy Not to Pray: Slowing Down to Be with God. Not only does his book have the basics of prayer, but it also speaks about the value of meeting with Our Maker on a regular basis. My own devotional times with God grew more regular and productive. I noticed my personality mellowed and I gained an optimism of what the Lord had planned for my life.

I recently found a video on the web made by Hybels. This nine minute clip is called Coffee with God. He describes in a clear way what the Lord has done in several lives where they consistently began meeting with God each day. If you struggle with trying to find time to pray and read scripture each day, please enjoy these stories. The link is:     http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/videos-for-pastors/164945-bill-hybels-coffee-with-god.html

Wednesday, March 20, 2013  Always Pray

Prayer can happen anywhere. I can hold onto my steering wheel and use it as an altar. At work, I can take a break and fold my hands over the keyboard. The place does not matter, but the fact that I pray continually is important. 

Prayer before a meal is good, but I don't want to stop there. Kneeling beside my bed at night is terrific, but what about the times in between? I want to keep my heart focused on heaven and my thoughts constantly in conversation with Jesus. These are reminders I tell myself each day.

Friday, March 15, 2013  Pastors Need Prayer

Recently, the cardinals of the Catholic Church chose Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina to become the 266^th pope. The seventy-six-year-old had little to say to the crowd from the balcony on St. Peter’s Basilica. However, Pope Francis, a Jesuit, asked with urgency for the group to pray for him. Those assembled below him complied with silent intercession.

Like the pope, our ministers have a burning desire for their congregation to pray for them. They experience many of the same pressures as Pope Francis. Members of the clergy are expected to be good examples, savvy business managers, terrific counsellors, leaders of their staff, inspiring preachers/teachers and great at home too. As the assembled in the Vatican did, will you silently pray for your pastor?

You may join others who are praying for their pastor by selecting the PIT CREW tab.