This morning is barely beginning in most people’s minds. As the clock shows 6:30am local time, some people are just getting up. However, I am just returning to the house where I am staying here in Ecuador. I had the very beautiful experience of waking up at 4:30am and going to a prayer meeting. There is no sarcasm meant in that previous sentence. In fact, I find it very beautiful to see that Jesus penetrates the hearts and lives of His children all over the earth, in all languages, cultures, classes, and ages… and that His great love provokes us to be praying people!
As I reflect on prayer though, it is apparent within the church at large that often we struggle with committed, intentional, and consistent prayer lives. I speak of this not as a judgement, but merely as a reflection, and probably more-so as a personal conviction about my own current prayer life. In a world where often many, if not most, are distracted by entertainment and illusions to pass the time, it seems difficult to cultivate a discipline of setting time aside for seeking God in prayer, much less developing a consistent pattern of prayer.
I Thessalonians 5:17 is a two worded verse, “PRAY CONTINUALLY” (capitalization is my own interpretation). How many of us have intentionally tried putting this mandate into practice? How many of us are truly praying people who strive to pray continually throughout our days, at all times, no matter where we are or what we are doing? I pray that I become an even more committed person of prayer. I know as times are hard and people are struggling that we, who are of the body of Christ, really need to develop the discipline and become praying people!
Lord, please raise up Your body to be a body of praying people, who will seek and discern Your heart and will for our lives daily! Lead us and guide us, and give us passion to pursue You and Your will first and foremost! Lord, please make us, Your body, truly a praying people!
(Proverbs 15:8, Luke 11:1-11, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, etc)
