Staying Prayerful During Summertime

Well, it’s that time of year again. Summer is upon us and that means it’s time for our summer school of prayer here at Prayer Point. It’s such a fun time of year—school’s out, vacations are in, the pool is open, sports activities and camps are in full swing. A lot is going on. In all of the fun and busyness of summer, however, we must purpose to stay sharp in prayer. Be sure to guard those times alone with Jesus. In the next few weeks leading up to the school year, we’re going to look at a few thoughts on prayer from Scripture. Friend, let’s enjoy the summer, and remain spiritually strong too. Now that’s something to pray about!

Praying For Your Friends

In a 1954 letter from C. S. Lewis to his friend, Sheldon Vanauken, Lewis wrote this: “It is a sweet duty, praying for our friends. I always feel as if I had had a brief meeting with you when I do so: perhaps it is a meeting, and the best kind.” I just love that thought. When we take a brief moment to pray for those who are dear to us, it’s like a divine moment together in the presence of God. So let this be your reminder today to lift up a special friend in your life. Just as Jesus told His disciples they were His friends, and prayed for them often, may we do so in like manner. As C. S. Lewis said, it’s a sweet duty; the best kind of meeting. Now that’s something to pray about!

God Shed His Grace On Thee: Praying For America

“America, America, God shed his grace on thee.” I love these iconic lyrics from America the Beautiful. 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 247th birthday with fireworks, parades and cookouts this week, let’s also reflect on the goodness of God. Take some time this week to thank the Lord 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. May it please God to continue to bless the USA. Now that’s something to pray about!

A Lesson In Prayer From Hannah

Do you remember the story of Hannah, the mother of Samuel? She prayed for a son at the temple in Shiloh and promised to give him to the service of the Lord. While praying, we read that “Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard” (1 Samuel 1:13). This prayer reminds me of a quote by Puritan preacher John Bunyan who said, “In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” Friend, take your burden to the Lord today. Pray with all your heart, even if words are hard to come by. God is sure to hear and be near. Now that’s something to pray about!

The Tragedy Of Unoffered Prayer

Pastor and theologian F. B. Meyer, who wrote extensively on the Christian life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, said this: “The greatest tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer.” What a thought. Prayer that doesn’t seem to receive an answer can be one of the most perplexing aspects of life in Christ. It’s especially difficult when someone we’re praying for remains sick or even dies. In those perplexing and difficult times when prayer seems not to work, we must trust the goodness of God. He makes choices that are far beyond our wisdom, and always for the best. Remember this when prayer seems not to make a difference, and keep offering those prayers. God is listening and doing far more with them than we know. Now that’s something to pray about!