Finding the Solitude for Prayer

Finding solitude for prayer can be challenging.  If you live in the country, it might be easier than if you live in the city.

Jesus himself found it challenging to find the right spot for prayer.  St. Mark wrote about Jesus:  "In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed.  And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, 'Everyone is searching for you.'"  Mark 1:35-36  Where can you go where there will be peace and quiet, and where there will be no interruptions?  For most of us, it's not easy in today's world.

I find it challenging myself even when at home.  There always seems to be noise from a construction truck, noise from the fire truck going down the street, and noise from a neighbor that infringes on the solitude I am seeking to achieve when I want time with God and for prayer.

At least, I do think that we need to find a suitable place where we can bring our attention to God.  If it has to be at home, then we need to discover the best time of day.  It isn't easy and there will always be a myriad of forces trying to impinge on our private time with God.   Be ready to overcome it and make that divine connection - regardless.  It will be well worth it.

Praying in the Spirit

Are you praying with full reliance on God's power when you pray?  A verse from Ephesians popped out at me as I was reading through this letter.  Here is where the apostle Paul wrote:  "Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication." Eph. 6:18

When Paul wrote about praying in the Spirit, I believe he means that we are not to take lightly this activity of prayer.  We are not to pray as if prayer is some type of magical incantation.  Praying in the Spirit means that we take seriously our activity of prayer.  We believe that when we make a request, our prayers will ascend to the throne of God and that we will be given every consideration by God in what we have said.

When you pray, do you feel that you are praying in a way where there is a sense of majesty and power through your very words?  Do you pray as if you are connecting directly to the greatest force in the world? Praying in the Spirit will make all the difference.

Praying for Power in Witnessing

I'm sure there are a lot of us who wonder if we really have the ability to witness to our faith.  We might not have mastered all the theological jargon; and as a result, we might feel at a loss.  Then, too, we might fear saying the wrong thing or not know how to express ourselves adequately.

Now, I realize that - yes - we do need to give some attention on how we present ourselves.  I also realize, too, that we are not alone in this endeavor of witnessing.  God seeks to work through us.

We have the words of the apostle Paul:  "Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel."  Ephesians 6:19

We can and ought to pray not only for ourselves, but be praying for one another, that we would be able to provide a bold witness to the gospel.  I note in the apostle's wording that he mentioned the mystery of the gospel. We might not have it all together in our understanding of God's work in sending Jesus, yet we can still proclaim the great working of God to save us.

So, I believe to overcome our reluctance in talking about Jesus to others, we ought to be praying about our witnessing.  The Holy Spirit can do great wonders through us as frail human beings.  We are the instruments of God - broken vessels - in order to bring God's message of wholeness in Jesus Christ to others.

Prayer as a Component of Decision-making

My sermon on Sunday will mention that prayer was necessary for the apostles when a replacement had to be found for Judas.  Here is the text from Acts 1:23-24: 

"So, they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.  Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart.  Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place."

There are certainly many times within the life of a congregation when an important decision has to be made.  While we might just want to rely on majority rule, the invoking of God's presence can be a powerful force to work in the hearts of all those involved.  There are times when insight and guidance is definitely needed.  The reason is that we would like to see and say that God's will is going to be done.

However, even in your personal life, there are probably times when you are in a quandary.  You need to look outside yourself in order to arrive at a decision.  This is where prayer ought to come into the equation.  It shows not only a reliance, but also a partnership with the Creator.

So, what might be pressing on your mind today?  Could you consider prayer as a component in your decision-making?

National Day of Prayer

Tomorrow, May 3, is the National Day of Prayer.  Hopefully, there will be many who will be observing this day as a special day of prayer.

As we look at our nation, certainly we have many things to pray for where we do need God's help.  What comes to mind is: 

1.  Our economy
2.  The unemployed
3.  Breaking down prejudice
4.  Help with the education of our young people
5.  Concern over rising health costs and affordability.
6.  The housing market
7.  Becoming a more godly nation
8. Those without faith in Christ coming to faith.

Maybe there are many other things for which you can think that are pressing on our nation.  Will you take the time to pray?

A Missional Prayer

The apostle Paul wrote "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.  At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should."  Colossians 4:2-4

Paul in writing to the Colossians is asking them to continue to be engaged in prayer as a way of life.  He is also asking personally for their prayers.  He is in prison and still wants God's work to be move forward.  Maybe Paul envisions a time when he will be set free.  If not, he is praying that his coworkers would be able to continue the work of spreading the word of Christ in new territory.

We note that Paul was asking for prayers that a door would open up in doing this work.  I believe that our congregations also ought to be praying for "a door to open."  It might be that from what is discovered a new ministry will be started by the congregation to exhibit Jesus' presence in the community.  It might be that a new way of connecting with folks in the area has been revealed and will be tried.

Our prayers can ask God for direction in this area.  How much are you praying for it?

Prayer: Defense or Offense

The Christian life is not an easy won.  We have to do battle on all fronts.  We contend against the world, our own flesh and the craftiness of Satan.  The apostle Paul in writing in Ephesians 6 mentions how we must be prepared to do battle with the crafty desires of the evil one.

Paul encourages us to put on the whole armor of God and be prepared to fight such evil forces.  The apostle makes clear that it is not against flesh and blood that we are contending, but against those invisible forces! Then, Paul concludes this section with these words:  "Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication." (Eph. 6:18)

The question I pose is: If we are engaged in such battle, are we more defensive or on the offense?  How is it in your life?  I believe if we want to see ourselves on the offensive, maybe we need to pray even more.