Joy

When Jesus described the temple in Jerusalem as a “house of prayer” (Mark 11:17), He was quoting from the book of Isaiah. When Isaiah spoke of the house of prayer, he described it as a place of joy saying that God would make His people “joyful in My house of prayer” (Isaiah 56:7). With this in mind, I’ve always believed that God desires our times of prayer to be one of the greatest sources of joy in life. If this hasn’t been your experience, that’s okay. My encouragement is to simply begin asking God to make your times of prayer increasingly filled with His gladness. Not every moment of prayer is supposed to be remarkable, but in my experience—the more we stick with it—the more we find that unmistakably sweet and enjoyable presence of God. Now that’s something to pray about!

Tears

In Psalm chapter six, David wrote with stirring emotion, giving us one of the great passages of Scripture for those who have simply been reduced to tears. He wrote this: “For the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord has heard my supplication; The Lord will receive my prayer” (Psalm 6:8-9). David not only believed that his tears were seen by God, but cherished by God—received by Him as the special prayer that they are. Friend, whatever may have you down in this season of life, whatever may be weighing on you so heavily, know that God is near when your heart is broken. He sees every tear. He hears every grief-stricken prayer—and the answer to them is never too far off. Now that’s something to pray about!

Epaphras

Have you ever heard of the man in the New Testament named Epaphras? Though Scripture tells us very little about him (mentioned only briefly by name three times), what we do know is that he was a prayer warrior. Paul wrote to the Colossians saying he was “always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Colossians 4:12). Though imprisoned for his faith, this great man was focused on building up the church through intercession. Today, in a time when it’s common to hear criticisms of the church, what if we were known instead for our prayers for the church. Like Epaphras, let’s always be asking God that He would keep the church in our community strong and effective in doing the will of God. Now that’s something to pray about!

Saint Patrick

Did you know that the real Patrick (also known as Patricius), who’s commemorated on Saint Patrick’s Day, was captured by pirates and forced into slavery? He would eventually evangelize 5th century Ireland—the very land of his captivity—and is regarded today as one of the greatest missionaries in history. Patrick is also credited with inspiring what has come to be known as Saint Patrick’s Breastplate, which is a prayer as lengthy as it is moving. As you go about your day, consider turning the following words of this prayer into your own: “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise.” Now that’s something to pray about!

Ukraine

Did you know that the sunflower is the national flower of Ukraine, and that just one sunflower can contain more than 1,000 seeds? After recently learning this myself, it got me thinking: what if 1,000 or more Christians throughout central Illinois began to pray every day for the war in Ukraine to end? Brothers and sisters, let’s rise up in prayer and ask God to bring about a swift and peaceful end to this conflict. Pray also for the churches and Christians staying in Ukraine who are serving the Lord and their people during this devastating time. Thank you for choosing to be an intercessor for such a time as this. You never know when the God of miracles will do something extraordinary, and how many lives might be spared, as you lift your voice to God. Now that’s something to pray about!