October 29, 2003
Commit to Pray
Prayer is a privilege that unites you with the God of Creation. Praying Scriptural prayers renews your mind to His Word, opens the eyes of your understanding; you hear and see those things, which God has prepared for those who love Him. You are never alone in prayer; the Holy Spirit is your prayer Partner here on earth and Jesus your Intercessor in Heaven. You agree with them in prayer.
The Sin of Prayerlessness
When prayer seems futile and you don’t feel like praying, acknowledge your feelings with honesty. Repent of any sin, including the sin of prayerlessness. The Holy Spirit helps you when you don’t know how to pray. When you make a commitment to pray, you will cherish God’s call to spend time with Him. “Draw us nearer, nearer, Precious Lord.”
Don’t waste time berating yourself for a lack of prayer, but purpose to respond to God’s call to pray, even if you have to cancel other activities. Satan understands the power of prayer, and plots to prevent you from praying creative, reflective prayers. He works to intensify your unresolved issues such as an inappropriate need to please people or a false sense of responsibility, which drains your energy. Emotional pain or unmet needs often compel you to watse hours on plans to help God answer your prayers.
In his book, Screwtape Letters, C. S. Lewis wrote about the instructor of demons who trained Wormwood, the new recruit for his first assignment. You no longer need a good book, which he really likes, to keep him from his prayers or his work or his sleep; a column of advertisements in yesterday’s paper will do. You can make him waste his time not only in conversation he enjoys with people whom he likes but also in conversations with those he cares nothing about, on subjects that bore him.
The Apostle Paul wrote that you are not ignorant concerning Satan’s devices, and you have the power to resist satanic methods of operation. Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee. Commit to pray, don’t give up or lose heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you develop the process of prayer that most effectively opens your mind to God’s presence.
Time To Pray
Schedule a time to pray. It is good to begin with a psalm of thanksgiving and praise. (Psalm 100 is one of my favorites.) Listen to quiet, reflective worship music, which helps block out distractions. Pray the Scriptures and imagine walking or running with Jesus in a solitary place or along the shores of Galilee where the crowds are gathering to hear him. Walk with Him along the seashore, beside quiet streams, in a garden of luscious, sweet smelling roses or on mountain peaks.
Talk to God, not in pious, religious words, but in your normal manner of speech as you would talk with your best friend. God is concerned with everything that concerns you. Pray about the day’s activities, and acknowledge God’s presence throughout the day. Pray for others knowing that your prayers are reaching out and encircling them. Pray positive prayers according to the will of God. Your words have power.
Always submit to God’s will in any situation. When you don’t know God’s will – His purpose – determine to know Him more intimately. Take a few moments to be quiet, listening for God’s instructions. Keep a prayer journal listing those for whom you pray, and record God’s personal message that He may give to you – sometimes to share, other times to hold in your heart. Think of the last thing you prayed about. Were you devoted to your desire or to God’s desire? Praying Scriptural prayers will unfold the thoughts and intents of your heart.
Demanding activities may be consuming your energy, robbing you of an anointing to pray. What do you do? Rely on the Holy Spirit. If He does not move you, you can move Him with your commitment to pray. Let Him direct your paths. Purpose to pray and pray with purpose.
A Prayer for You
Father, in the name of Jesus I commit to pray with purpose, and not give up. This is the confidence that I have in you, that if I ask anything according to Your will, you hear me. Since I know that you hear me, whatsoever I ask, I know that I have the petitions that I desire of you. Father-God, you are with me, you are in me and I thank you for helping me. If God be for me, who can be against me? Amen.”
Copyright © Germaine Copeland 2003
Germaine Copeland is the author of the best selling book series, Prayers That Avail Much. She has written scriptural prayers for the family. Read your Bible, pray and attend church where you can soak up the love and faith of God. You will receive emotional healing, experience spiritual growth and become more intimately acquainted with your Heavenly Father, and your relationships will grow stronger.