Silence

This week’s summer school of prayer topic is silence. Yes, silence. When we think of prayer, we often think of the many words we have to speak. That’s not always the case. Taking an extended time to sit quietly while reading the Bible, reflecting on the words and journaling your thoughts—that’s prayer as well. Thankfully God considers prayer to include complete silence, not just uplifted voice. Mary, who sat at the feet of Jesus, comes to mind. We read that the Lord commended her for simply sitting with Him and listening. This week, perhaps you just need to sit quietly with Jesus for awhile. Let Him speak to you, and jot those thoughts down. So much can happen in that quiet place with God. Now that’s something to pray about!

Praying The Bible

We continue our prayer summer school theme with an encouragement to pray using the Bible. If you’re anything like me, prayer doesn’t come easy or natural. When I get alone with God, my mind can wander. Coming up with new prayers is a challenge, and the prayer lists can often feel uninspired. To remedy this, I recommend praying through Scripture itself, especially the prayers in the Bible, which are inspired by the Holy Spirit. Talking to God using the Psalms, the prayers of the apostles or even the prayers of Jesus can really set our heart aflame. So next time you’re in the secret place, open your Bible and pray what you’re reading. God is sure to meet with you in a new and refreshing way. Now that’s something to pray about!

Praying For America

“America, America, God shed his grace on thee.” I love these iconic lyrics from America the Beautiful by Katherine Lee Bates and Samuel A. Ward. They remind me that the only reason for the existence, blessedness and continued prosperity of America is the grace of God. As we celebrate our nation’s 246th birthday with fireworks, parades and family cookouts this week, let’s also reflect on the goodness of God. Take some time this week to thank Him for our free country, and pray that we as a people could live up to the highest and most noble reasons He has formed these United States of America. With His help, I believe we can be one nation under God. Now that’s something to pray about!

Relax And Pray

This week we continue our summer school of prayer with a lesson on relaxing. Why relaxing? Well, often times Christians view prayer as an exercise in intensity. They feel they have to work up emotions for prayer to be effective. But prayer is not typically energetic and loud. It’s typically quiet and relaxed. Simply reclining on a couch with an open Bible and a heart to connect with God is real prayer that moves the hand of God. Speak to the Lord what’s on your heart, and what comes alive to you as you read the Scriptures. Before you know it, you’ve prayed for 20 or 30 minutes. So relax, and learn to enjoy that quiet place of connection with God. Now that’s something to pray about!

Prayer And Feelings

We’re continuing in our summer school of prayer fundamentals today with a word about feelings. That’s right, feelings. Remember that prayer is always powerful no matter how we feel. Thankfully, our feelings do not determine its power. The reason I mention this is because folks sometimes get discouraged in their prayer life because they think it should feel more amazing. They may have heard a story about someone powerfully encountering God during a time of prayer, and so they assumed that was the norm. The truth is, though, that the vast majority of times of prayer feel very normal. So, keep at it despite what your feel on a particular summer day, and those powerful answers are sure to come. Now that’s something to pray about!