Prayer that Propels
July 12, 2009
Think for a moment about prayer. Jesus did it (Luke 6:12). He prescribed it (Matt. 26:41; Luke 18:1). Paul commanded it (1 Thess. 5:17-18). Given the emphasis God places on prayer, we Christians should pursue the discipline with great enthusiasm. But quite often we do not. It is not that we do not want to pray; sometimes we simply do not know how to pray. What is the secret to real prayer — prayer that propels one toward greater faith, fervor, and effectiveness in the Lord? One writer offers a three-fold response. First, make prayer important. We schedule essential tasks to be accomplished each day. We should schedule prayer, as well. Secondly, choose the right location. You don’t take a bath in the garage, and you don’t mow your lawn in your bedroom. In the same way, we must pursue prayer in an environment that appropriately, peacefully, and quietly allows us to engage our God. Finally, plan for an adequate amount of time in prayer. A hurried “now I lay me down to sleep” probably will not do for the person who desires to pour out his or her heart and soul before the Father. What can we say to this, West Broad and friends? Only that we have a great deal of work to do in downtown Richmond as we endeavor to share Jesus with the lost. We also have work to do in our personal lives as we seek to walk more closely with the Lord. Prayer will propel us toward success in these ventures. Now, how prayerful are you? —JLNJR (Resource: Outreach, July/Aug. 2007, 40)
