Prayer Activity

How is your prayer life?     

Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to pray without ceasing.  Jesus taught us how to pray and modeled it in his own life. He even told his disciples that they were unable to do certain things because they hadn’t been praying enough (Mark 9:29).

Think of all the hours and minutes in the day.  Think how much time we spend each day where our mind just wanders. Really think about it.

If we were truthful, we would probably say we most often think about meaningless things that count for nothing.  It could be worry, or toying with tempting thoughts.  It could be a preoccupation with life events, or just “stuff” like TV and video games.

We are called to a life of prayer.  Ephesians 6:18 tells us to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. This means we are to pray ALL the time. 

So how do we live a life of prayer?

It is called “prayer activity”.  It is simple concept, yet so profound.  It will help transform your prayer life.  It will help you refocus and re-channel meaningless thoughts into powerful and effective prayers (James 5:17) for the Kingdom of God.  Your attitude and whole outlook on life will change.   

You may be doing this and don’t even realize it.  When you sit down for dinner do you pray?  That is prayer activity.  Sitting down for dinner is the activity which reminds you, “we need to pray before we eat”.  When you hear of a friend who is sick or dying do you pray?  Hearing this is a natural reminder for you to pray.  When you have a huge task at hand or something beyond what you can handle…do you pray?

The concept of “prayer activity” is to use the daily activities you are involved with throughout the day as constant reminders to pray.  Here are some more examples to illustrate this:

• As you are walking your dog, it is a reminder to pray for your neighbors, even the ones you have never met or seen.
• As you shower, you may pray for God’s cleansing and forgiveness of your sins.
• Are you ever angry at someone?  Use it as a reminder to pray for them.
• As you cut your grass, each side of the lawn may represent a different family member or you may use it as a reminder to pray for the harvest of the lost souls we know.
• As you drive into work, it could be a time or praying for your boss and co-workers.
• As you pass a church (any church) it can be your reminder to pray for that church, your church, “the church”, our pastors, leaders.
• When you hear or see someone getting married pray for their marriage AND yours.
• When watching or reading the news and something you see or hear provokes you to disgust, don’t balk at it.  Use it as an opportunity and reminder to pray. 
• When you hear an ambulance, pray for healing of those injured, for the families.
• If you take public transportation, before you board or sit down pray for the salvation of those gathered around you.
• If you catch yourself complaining…may it be a reminder to turn it into a prayer. 
• As you brush your teeth pray that only clean, kind encouraging words would come out your mouth.
• While washing the dishes (men) it reminds you to pray for your wife.
• As you balance your checkbook, may it always be a reminder to pray and thank God for his provision.

There are millions of examples like this.  Make your own list.  Write them down.  Then tell others. Start small then keep building.  Share them with your wife, your kids, your church family, your men’s table, friends, neighbors, relatives… 

 Reminders ….Reminders….Reminders

We all need them.  Why not use what God has put right before us as a reminder to pray.  Develop this habit and discipline and you will be transformed.

We must learn to discipline our minds.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  We are made righteous through Christ.  Do you believe your prayers are powerful?  Do You?  Do you believe your prayers are effective? Do you?  The challenge then is to live it out in our lives.  Often we do not see clear and direct answers, and our faith can be weakened.  Do not let down your guard and believe the lie. Rest in the TRUTH.  Choose to believe in faith.

Be strong in the Lord and His mighty power.  My prayer each time I think of “prayer activity” is to pray for each of you.  That your thought life will be filled with prayer and that you will know that your prayers are powerful and effective.

David Sefcik is the author of this article.  If you have any questions you may email him by clicking on his name.