Rick Hamlin - "Enough of us have scratched our heads at Paul’s admonition to “pray without ceasing,” wondering if we’re ever to get up from a kneeling position, but if we take Paul’s life for an example–traveling, preaching, tent-making, church-building, letter-writing–we can assume there are multiple ways to pray in the midst of a busy life. Here are some that you might want to try.
1) Write a thank-you note.
Whenever I’m out of sorts and need to get myself to a godly place, writing a thank-you note proves a prayerful road back. There’s always somebody in my life who deserves much thanks. It could be an email, a note on nice stationery or a postcard I drop in the mail. Writing down what I’m grateful for, expressing it, sharing it, is a reminder of my own gratitude to God.
Whenever I’m out of sorts and need to get myself to a godly place, writing a thank-you note proves a prayerful road back. There’s always somebody in my life who deserves much thanks. It could be an email, a note on nice stationery or a postcard I drop in the mail. Writing down what I’m grateful for, expressing it, sharing it, is a reminder of my own gratitude to God.
2) Repeat a short prayer to yourself.
And when I say short, I mean short. It could be a phrase from the Lord’s Prayer, something from a Psalm like “The Lord is my shepherd,” just an expression of God’s name or the Jesus Prayer, “Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” You can say it as often as you want, letting it pull you back to God, giving you a kingdom perspective on this world. No one has to know what’s going on in your head. These are words just between you and your Creator.
And when I say short, I mean short. It could be a phrase from the Lord’s Prayer, something from a Psalm like “The Lord is my shepherd,” just an expression of God’s name or the Jesus Prayer, “Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” You can say it as often as you want, letting it pull you back to God, giving you a kingdom perspective on this world. No one has to know what’s going on in your head. These are words just between you and your Creator.
3) Send a flash prayer.
I’ll never forget my friend Claire who worked in the film business, and she told me that when she found herself in a contentious meeting, she would “zap” people with prayer. She said it was sort of like a secret Star Wars weapon. Often enough the contentiousness would die down and real collaboration would happen. Make God your collaborator and zap someone with a prayer when both they and you need it.
I’ll never forget my friend Claire who worked in the film business, and she told me that when she found herself in a contentious meeting, she would “zap” people with prayer. She said it was sort of like a secret Star Wars weapon. Often enough the contentiousness would die down and real collaboration would happen. Make God your collaborator and zap someone with a prayer when both they and you need it.
4) Breathe in God’s love.
People will say that you should pause and take a few deep breaths when you’re stressed. My friend, David, recommends something you can add to that. With each breath, take in God’s healing love. Let it fill you up and then breathe His Spirit out into the world. I like the way Job, who had his share of suffering puts it, “God’s spirit made me: the Almighty’s breath enlivens me.”
5) Hold a song in your head.
I’m lousy at multi-tasking. It’s challenging enough to concentrate on one thing at a time. But I can hold a song in my head while doing a dozen other things. It’s there on its own inner loop, filling my brain and my heart, making me happy even without me singing a note. Put your ear buds on, play your favorite spirit-lifting song, then let it play back for you the rest of the day. It’ll do the praying for you.
I’m lousy at multi-tasking. It’s challenging enough to concentrate on one thing at a time. But I can hold a song in my head while doing a dozen other things. It’s there on its own inner loop, filling my brain and my heart, making me happy even without me singing a note. Put your ear buds on, play your favorite spirit-lifting song, then let it play back for you the rest of the day. It’ll do the praying for you.
6) Be other-oriented.
I find the more focused I am on others, the more prayerful my life is. Not for nothing do certain names pop into my head–often enough I find there’s reason. It’s a wake-up call for caring and prayer. My friend, Roberta, gives away something every day. It might be just a clipping from the newspaper or a recipe she likes, but she shares something of herself. “Give us this day our daily bread,” Jesus said. “Us” not “me.” Doing for others takes me right there."
I find the more focused I am on others, the more prayerful my life is. Not for nothing do certain names pop into my head–often enough I find there’s reason. It’s a wake-up call for caring and prayer. My friend, Roberta, gives away something every day. It might be just a clipping from the newspaper or a recipe she likes, but she shares something of herself. “Give us this day our daily bread,” Jesus said. “Us” not “me.” Doing for others takes me right there."
6 Ways to Pray All Day
There are multiple ways to pray in the midst of a busy life.
 | I Get On My Knees by Jaci Velasquez https://www.youtube.com/watch? |
Father, it's for certain, we need Your help to pray effectively. Our thoughts are not what Yours are, so I ask for You to impress us with what's on Your heart in the concerns we have.
These suggestions of Rick's are what we can make use of, so help us read them, and make an effort to follow through with them.
Whether it is a flash prayer, worship song, thank you note, or reaching out to someone with concern for them, may we become more like Christ, and allow prayer to guide us throughout our day. I ask this in His Name. Amen.
Today’s Bible verse: (Ps. 46:10) "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."
Today’s quotes:
David McCasland - "During this season filled with our own doubts and dreams, it's good to ponder afresh God's great love expressed in the familiar story of Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus, and the angels who announced the Savior's birth. That is what Christmas is all about." [ODB 12/5/15]
David McCasland - "When someone we know is facing serious physical difficulty or a spiritual crisis, it is our privilege to join together in prayer, bringing our friends to Jesus
David McCasland - "During this season filled with our own doubts and dreams, it's good to ponder afresh God's great love expressed in the familiar story of Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus, and the angels who announced the Savior's birth. That is what Christmas is all about." [ODB 12/5/15]
Some thoughts today:
-What are you choosing to do, and why are you doing it? Good question for us. Will it benefit someone? Will it be in the attitude of prayer? What are you focused on? What are your priorities?
~ Our perspective can help us keep our thoughts on Jesus throughout the day. Thanksgiving keeps our primary thoughts under control. (Heb. 13:15 KJV)
~ Stop and give thanks occasionally. You'll be glad you did, and so will God. He admires those who acknowledge His involvement in their day-to-day activities.
-What are you choosing to do, and why are you doing it? Good question for us. Will it benefit someone? Will it be in the attitude of prayer? What are you focused on? What are your priorities?
~ Our perspective can help us keep our thoughts on Jesus throughout the day. Thanksgiving keeps our primary thoughts under control. (Heb. 13:15 KJV)
~ Stop and give thanks occasionally. You'll be glad you did, and so will God. He admires those who acknowledge His involvement in their day-to-day activities.
Eat healthier this holiday season, and your body may thank you.
| Stay hydrated. It's sometimes hard to remember to keep drinking lots of fresh water when it's cool or cold out. But staying well-hydrated can help you feel less hungry. And that may help you make better eating choices. Don't arrive hungry. Before you leave for a social event, consider eating some healthy food to fill you up a little. Raw veggies or salad with a source of protein are good choices. And don't skip meals before going out. Take a good look. If you're eating from a holiday buffet or a menu, make sure to scope out the choices before choosing. Then take only your favorites, in healthy portions for you. That way, you won't "waste" your calories on foods that you don't really enjoy. |
13th- Sunday evening’s post: Prepared to Give His Life Away Lee Forbes
15th- Tuesday's post: #121 How Warfare Prayer Can Work C. Peter Wagner
17th- Thursday's post: #122 A Glorious Finale (last one)
C. Peter Wagner
19th- Saturday's post: Our Strongholds
Max Lucado
15th- Tuesday's post: #121 How Warfare Prayer Can Work C. Peter Wagner
17th- Thursday's post: #122 A Glorious Finale (last one)
C. Peter Wagner
19th- Saturday's post: Our Strongholds
Max Lucado
shares with us, "Bob told me about a visit to Vietnam where he met with a leader of an underground Christian church.
This leader, who had spent a large part of his life in prison for his faith, told Bob many stories of the growth of Christians as approximately one-million believers met in hidden huddles all around the country..."
Some good points...Thank you! I believe in prayer!
ReplyDeleteLove this post. thanks for sharing.
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