3 May 2016
Showers are for Singing
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
This scripture reminds me of another passage... Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)
These are handy, compact reminders for moment by moment living in a relationship with the One, True, Living God. There are similar lists in the New Testament, and the common component is always prayer.
However it is stated, Keep on praying or Never stop praying, the idea is simple, I need to pray a lot. A long, stream of consciousness prayer in the shower followed by a panic prayer of dread in the car on the way to work is not what should make up the bulk of a Believer’s prayer life.
One sided dialogues are not prayers. I don’t think God minds them because he knows we are weak and doesn’t hold that against us (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). But, effective prayer is talking, thanking, repeating God’s promises, asking questions, and listening for answers. Prayer is ongoing all day as I simply include God in what’s going on in my day and how my heart is reacting to it. And in addition to this freestyle form, prayer also has a structured element as I need to set aside time to pray for other people...
Matthew 5:44 Pray for enemies
1 Timothy 2:2 Pray for leaders
Ephesians 6:19 Pray for those who share the gospel
James 5:16 Pray for other Believers
It’s ok to write down verses and make lists of people and read it back to God with your eyes open instead of closed and with your hand holding a pen instead of resting in the traditional folded position. Prayer is a meeting between God an me. And some meetings require paper & pens, some require morning walks, and some require sore knees. Meetings in the shower don’t really cut it. Showers are for singing.
Dear God,
I like meeting with you today. Thank you for Bible verses, worship music, journals, pens, and coffee. Thank you for good rest last night, and help me to be patient and kind today. Thank you for my family and give Rob a great day at work today. Thank you for providing for us and loving us, and thank you for interacting with me through prayer. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Showers are for Singing
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
This scripture reminds me of another passage... Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)
These are handy, compact reminders for moment by moment living in a relationship with the One, True, Living God. There are similar lists in the New Testament, and the common component is always prayer.
However it is stated, Keep on praying or Never stop praying, the idea is simple, I need to pray a lot. A long, stream of consciousness prayer in the shower followed by a panic prayer of dread in the car on the way to work is not what should make up the bulk of a Believer’s prayer life.
One sided dialogues are not prayers. I don’t think God minds them because he knows we are weak and doesn’t hold that against us (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). But, effective prayer is talking, thanking, repeating God’s promises, asking questions, and listening for answers. Prayer is ongoing all day as I simply include God in what’s going on in my day and how my heart is reacting to it. And in addition to this freestyle form, prayer also has a structured element as I need to set aside time to pray for other people...
Matthew 5:44 Pray for enemies
1 Timothy 2:2 Pray for leaders
Ephesians 6:19 Pray for those who share the gospel
James 5:16 Pray for other Believers
It’s ok to write down verses and make lists of people and read it back to God with your eyes open instead of closed and with your hand holding a pen instead of resting in the traditional folded position. Prayer is a meeting between God an me. And some meetings require paper & pens, some require morning walks, and some require sore knees. Meetings in the shower don’t really cut it. Showers are for singing.
Dear God,
I like meeting with you today. Thank you for Bible verses, worship music, journals, pens, and coffee. Thank you for good rest last night, and help me to be patient and kind today. Thank you for my family and give Rob a great day at work today. Thank you for providing for us and loving us, and thank you for interacting with me through prayer. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
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