Intentional Prayer

Isn’t it incredible that when we call on God, we don’t have to leave a Voice Mail and He doesn’t put us “on hold?”  He is always . . . On Call.  (Jeremiah 33:3)

 

I have a sobering question to ask you?  On a scale 1-10 how would you honestly grade your prayer life?  Do you pray only in crisis or on-the-run?  For me, that grade varies.  When I am going through painful situations, that number is higher than when I am not.  But this should not be the case!  The scriptures instruct us to “Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances.” 1 Thessalonians. 5:17-18.  Does that say all?  I believe it does.

 

What a privilege we have to pray BUT what a responsibility – especially when we bring other people’s needs before the Father!  There is no substitute for prayer.  With busy lifestyles, a disciplined prayer life may be difficult to develop but an important habit to form.  Corrie ten Boom said it this way: "Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?"

 
Be intentional. Spending time with God will change your life!  Learn how to hear God on paper™ by journaling. Though schedules may be busy and hectic with family, friends, business, church and ministry – covet to get alone with your Heavenly Father daily.  Jesus did.

 

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35

 

“Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.” Luke 6:12

 

Rabbis teach Abraham prayed in the morning, Isaac in the afternoon and Jacob in the night.
A woman who inspires me is Anna. In Luke 2:36-38 we read, “She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.”  Think about Anna’s daily commitment to prayer.  Anna is a role model to us today.

 

Now, if you are like me, perhaps you have prayed a certain prayer for a certain person or thing for 10, 20 or 30 years.  I have good news! Your prayers are not forgotten.  In Revelations 5:8 we read that our prayers are in Heaven in golden bowls full of incense forever active before the throne of God.

 

Did you know . . .  there is only one thing that is impossible with God?  It is impossible to believe Him in vain! God’s Word says this, “You will find me, says the Lord when you seek me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:14. Seek His face – not His hand.  Press into the heart of God today and be blessed beyond measure.

 

—Sharon Hill

Speaker, Author & Prayer Coach. Sharon Hill is the author of the On Call Prayer Journal©  www.OnCallPrayer.org   Watch Sharon’s video on prayer at www.thelmawells.com/webcasts.php