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by Milt Harris
Ask for prayer as you seek to pray. http://thelife.com/interactive/share.html
Pray continually (I Thessalonians 5:17 NIV).
Several years ago I felt motivated to expand my prayer life. My wife’s family meets bimonthly to pray for concerns and we’ve seen the power of God at work. But some serious issues needed ongoing prayer. Since I already used my morning prayer time to pray for my immediate family, when could I pray for the extended family?
God showed me I could pray for my wife’s family and my family on my commute to work and then during my ten-minute walk between the parking lot and office. All total, I found an extra hour to pray.
To help me remember to pray, I used visual cues. For example, my wife’s niece and family live along my route to work, so I prayed for them as I drove past their neighborhood. Similarly, when I drove near a church plant where my children attend, I prayed for growth for their church.
Now I’ve retired and don’t have a commute, so how can I pray more? I can pray whenever I do tasks that don’t require my full concentration. And so could you. For example, pray while you run errands, exercise, or walk. Pray while doing household chores, yard work, or taking a shower. And for visual cues, pray for neighbors while walking to the mailbox. Pray for children and schools when passing schools. And pray for pastors and congregations when you drive by a church.
If we ask God, He will show us how to “pray continually.” He knows our schedules and when we can pray more. He’ll help us “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” so we can “be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV).
Questions: Keeping a prayerful heart is a habit we can grow in. What is one way you could suggest to find more time to pray? Do you use visual aids to remind you to pray for specific people and situations?
About the Author: http://thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/milt-harris/
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Thanks for the good devotional!
I find that when I am laying awake in the night that I go through the alphabet and the Lord brings people to mind! It keeps my mind of physcial pain. I pray for Ralatives and friends on my way to volunteer. I have a good 25 minutes to do so.
I pray for the ladies on the blog and for their concerns as I read them. I pray that you will everyone who knows Jesus will see that in Christ they are not only Followers of Jesus but Saints saved by Grace!
My legs have acted up once more! I am going out on my own and I need prayer to remmber the Lord is with me and I am not a lone!
I like the idea of going through the alphabet. I usually lie awake and begin to reflect on the day; where I’ve been, who I’ve seen. And as thoughts or prior requests come to me, I pray for that person. Too, if someone asks me to remember them in my prayers, I usually begin to pray for them as soon as we’re finished with our conversation…then I don’t forget!
Hi everyone, please pray for my husband today. He found out last night that he is loosing his job by email of all things. His boss didn’t even have the integrity to call him in the office. Their business has trippled and now they have a spirit of pride. Please pray for the employers to see their need for God and his wisdom and pray that my husband gets a new job today, I believe God will bless him because of his pure heart, he is a man to be honored not tossed out like trash. Please pray with me for a sudden move of God and for his will to be done. I am hurting today because these are also my bosses and it will be hard to attend this mornings meeting, I need all of your help….please. Blessings. Loreli
Like Deanne, I lift up people in prayer as soon as I finish my conversation or when they ask for prayers so that I don’t forget. Right now I lift up Margaret and that you give strength to her legs so she can go about her business today in a comfortable manner. I lift up Loreli and her husband as they go through this uncertain time. Lord, losing a job is one of life’s most difficult challenges. We already know that you have a perfect job already planned for him. You know when the new job will be offered or what new plan you have for him. It is very challenging to be patient and wait for that new job without feeling stressed. I pray for courage and strenght and peace for their family..
I would like to lift my Aunt and her family today as she passed away Friday night. I decided not to fly back East for the funeral as I was able to visit with her in March. Please give me peace about that and please be with all family members as they grieve over the loss of this wonderful lady. God bless all on this blog today.
Ladies, I am signing in with my name but with Ok (where I am from), because I saw another Patti on here this weekend.
Loreli..I will pray for your husband and a job. My husband and I know personally that loss, as mine lost his job after 20 years and two patents with the company. I also know what it can do to a man…as it is a big part of who they are..
Also for Andi’s husband as he searches for a new job….
I am finding such joy in praying and it used to be more of a chore and quick thing. The Lord is giving such a heart for others and I love to pray specifically for needs.
I find the best way for me.. is to keep a list at work and at home…..but even without my list, I find myself praying when I awaken in the night or I am driving in the car.
Lord…teach us to pray. Remove all the busy things from our minds so that our focus can be on those who have needs….or are hurting. Give me a heart Lord, for other’s needs. I praise You Lord….for blessing me, Lord…beyond my expectations and for restoring my joy in You. Continue to mold me, Dear Jesus..to be used in the way You planned. Take any and all pride from me, Lord…..strip it all away as I desire to walk intimately with You..Minister to those who need a touch from You today…give them peace that only You can give and assurance that You are with them always.
Lord, again today, I lift up Michelle to you today. You know the physical and emotional pain of miscarriage…losing a child. Touch her heart, give her peace. Touch her body with Your healing hand. Give her strength as she heals. Pour down Your love on her and her husband as they grieve this loss. Wrap her up in Your love, grace and peace as You minister to that precious family. In Jesus Name….Amen
Jerseygirl….praying for you..
Dear Jesus….I pray You will give jg peace that ministers to her heart..as she grieves this loss. Lord..be with her family and loved ones and may they see more and more the joy of this loved ones life. Pour down Your love upon this family, give them strength today and let them feel Your presence. In Jesus Name…..
Dear Ladies…I would ask you to pray for me, if you will. This past weekend, I injured one of my hands, from being hit by a baseball..This hand has been reconstructed from the base of the thumb past the wrist. I am praying that it has not been damaged in that area…that I will not have to go back into surgery for repair, but I cannot flex or feel two of my fingers and the pain is getting worse.
It is the busiest time of the year for my work and today, I can already tell I won’t be able to use it…much of my work is computer entry and I will be using my left hand…..Thank you for your prayers……
Thanks Milt for your devotional. Exactly what I do to have a continuous prayer.
FATHER I lift unto YOU Lorelli’s husband and Andi’s husband who are searching for jobs. I bind them LORD to the promises you have in Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 139:17-18 that what YOU have for them is hope and good future, that the good things YOU have for them is more the number of the grain of sand. I loose from them the hands of the evil taking this job away from them and I loose the blockage that the enemy is using to Andi’s husband to get that job YOU have for them away. Thank YOU LORD for the authority that YOU gave us in Matthew 16:19;18:18 and the power to do so. I know that YOUR promises are already done in heaven and we are simply counting on YOUR sovereignty. Our eyes are on YOU LORD. In JESUS name amen.
I love all the creative ways to pray – while we are in bed, waiting in our car for a train, etc.. I find that the best time for me to pray is early in the morning before anyone else is awake. I journal my prayers. I have been doing this for many years and find my “love letters to God” are the most enjoyable time of my day. I have gone through my journals and marked answered prayer in RED ! I am always amazed and humbled at how many of my prayers God has answered. They are not always in the way I would have expected or asked for, but always in His timing and faithfulness.
When I was in junior high school Sunday School class, our teacher commented that every time she hears a siren she prays for whoever needs it and whoever is responding. To this day, that prayer is automatic with me. And Normal Vincent Peale suggested ‘shooting prayers’ at people and situations … and that is a great thing to do too, because you never know what a prayer ‘shot’ at an offending motorist might do. I just always pray that the person or the situation will receive the Lord’s guidance and blessings. So I’m not alone, praying in the middle of the night, sleepless … no surprise there. It’s a great time to pray and invariably I fall asleep in the midst of it …..
I am signing in a different manner today. Thanks for the reminder PattiOK. I will now be PattY. The “Y” being the first initial of my last name. If anyone else uses this, let me know, I’ll come up with something else.
This devotional today came at a great time. I have been struggling with my prayer life. Is using Lists a good idea? How should I pray, what should I pray. Where should I pray and how long. Do I spend enough time in prayer. The devotional showed me that I do pray a lot. Satan tries to show me that I am not doing this, and wastes a lot of precious time worrying about whether or not I am doing it right. I read a comment of Dr Bill Bright yesterday where in he qouted someone else saying that the difference in the power we receive from the Spirit today and in the early church is that for us it is performance, to them it was an experience. So I need to experience prayer, not perform it. I do pray for those I see on the street, or out walking as I drive by. Whenever I drive somewhere it is an opportunity to pray or worship. I pray when I am outside, and have found that working in my garden is a great time to listen to God. As I root out weeds, He reminds me of the sin that creeps into our lives. Little roots left lying around quickly sprout and become larger in a short time, causing more removal than if completely removed the first time. The center of my garden is more free from weekd than the edges. If I am centered on Jesus, I am less likely to have encrouchment of sin (weeds). That even good things like grass can invade my garden and creat havoc with my plants. So I need to pay close attention to my priorities, since even good things can interfere with the fruit of the Spirit. I do love to pray, and also journal my prayer life. I liked the idea of recording answers in red. I have many journals that are earmarked for my eldest daughter when I am called home..which may not be for another 20 years. Or could be today.
I often fall alseep in prayer at times also. When I mentioned that I felt guilty doing this to my pastor, he said what better way to fall alseep than in the arms of Jesus. I also waken to prayer, and give each day to Jesus before I get out of bed.
Prayerfully,
PattY
I pray everyday almost all day, I just became unemployed and found my self praying more, I pray for my family, and my daughter she is in the Navy, my husband he has a heart condition, my mother, my in laws, my friends. I pray for the troops. I find that by praying my family is always in a happy mood. we are at ease. I am praying right now by sending this reply about prayer. every time I get in my truck I pray for no harm.
Father please bless all who are reading this. thank you for your love
and strength to help all those in need.
LORD JESUS name amen.
I, too, have often struggled with taking the time to pray. But I know the Lord got tired of my making excuses about being too busy, or waiting until bedtime and yes, falling asleep. My dad told me that was a wonderful way to go to sleep, but often my prayers never got finished. So I began praying throughout the day about everything, and anytime I was alone, anytime the circumstances called for praising, thanking, venting, or intervening for the people involved. Turning the TV off really freed up a lot of my time, too. I wish I had learned to pray for my children more intently when they were younger. Going through my email contacts always leads me to pray for someone in particular that day. Our alto section leader from choir sends us prayer requests on a daily basis and saving those requests to reread helps me remember who to pray for. With our nation at war, just watching the news should prompt us all to get on our knees. What a privilege prayer is! I sometimes hear people say”I don’t know what to pray about”. That’s a no-brainer, pray(talk) to God about anything and everything. He’s such a great listener, but not only does He listen, He is in control. If you knew that someone could change any circumstance, wouldn’t you ask them ? Well, God can and always does when we ask. What a difference prayer has made in my life. I’m so glad somebody prayed for me. And we’ll be surprised when we get to heaven the wonderful changes we’ve made through our prayers for others.
Lord Jesus..Thank you for the gift of prayer that we can lift our voices to you any time day or night and You are with us and those we uplift… Be with these precious ones here today, Father, who are dealing with job loss, loss of a greatly anticipated child, loss of flexibility in an already injured hand, and that you will be with us as we mourn earthen loss, too… Be with this child of yours whose Aunt’s services are many miles away, but her love and prayers with her family right along..Give her Peace, Lord….Help us to do as the one commentor said..Pray at the sound of a siren or a speeding police car, firetruch, ambulance..realizing prayer “will” be needed in those emergency calls… thank you that you will touch each of these situations in your perfect and Divine way and time… and minister to them in the meantime .. Bless you, Precious Lord, that You will send Angels amongst them to comfort and encourage…Heavenly and earthen ones, too…Thank you, dear Lord, for the flash prayers one lady mentioned that are so powerful ..When we see road rage or anger of any kind..our quick prayers can bring You to help them “defuse”…Help us to be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit’s nudgings “to” pray …and for our spirits to be quickened to needed prayer for those You put into our pathways. When we see, in passing, a downcast expression..Help us to storm Heaven quickly on behalf of that person and bring them to your loving Throneroom in instant prayer…cause us to smile..It may be the only one some see in a day…. Help us to realize that we can “pray without ceasing” any time day and night..as we yeild our hearts up to you…And, that you will cause our individual earthen jobs to be done right along as we do…Help us make time, always, for intercession, Beloved Father..Keep our hearts pure and help us daily ask forgiveness of our earthen sins ..that You can listen and that nothing will hinder Your Precious ear to our pleadings…. we come before you this day with grateful hearts and Praise for all You’ve done for us ..and will yet do…Praise YOU our Beloved Father and to YOU be all Glory….Amen and Amen
I do appreciate the encouragement to pray continually. What I would lkie to know is how other retired women with lot of time, structure their days, especailly the mornings and find a routine that includes, meditation, prayer and exercise? Is it beneficial to do one or the other first?
Please reply to my question
lshackett@hotmail.com
This was a wonderful read about praying anytime in our lives. I listen to a wonderful christian rock radio station and it helps me to pray daily since the songs bring joy to my heart. When I see the sun or even the clouds I pray to God and thank him for a wonderful day with rain to water our world and with sunshine to brighten our days and just to be here one more day. It amazes me how God answers our thoughts and prayers. I have this blog/news letter e-mail to my work address on a daily basis. I feel terrible when I have time to read other e-mails but delete these because I just “don’t have time at work” I know in my heart what an excuse that is and just this weekend at Church I asked for his help in helping me to remember to pray more often and then this story came in my e-mail. My boss is out of town and I thought, “make time to read it this day.” Miracles happen to us daily if we take the time to slow down and give Him time to show them to us. Praise the Lord and all he does!
We’re retired here, too, and my husband does a little self employment in addition. We find that “prayer first” and seeking HIM early sets the tone of the whole day..Both our couple prayers and individual ones will “structuer”our days as we put thoe prayers first!!! These prayer times energize us and give us strength for every challenge that comes! And invite the Lord in as Head of our days, too!!
The ladies here that know me..remember something the Lord gave me once to post! “he enemy absolutely “trembles” when we do pray” I read that in a wonderful collection of books about prayer by E.M.Bounds! The enemy of our souls so wants us to get too busy to pray. But we are all to smart for that deception of his! The books of E.M.Bounds and others on prayer will help if you aren’t already familiar with them. Prayer is one of the most important things we “will” do in a day! And? If we ask Him? He’ll show “how to make time”, too..just as He did with the devotional writer.
For exercise..We try and walk more. Park the car farther from grocery, etc.; you’d be suprised how those extra steps add up in a week’s time.. and stay as active as we can. We “do” have to rest these temples more and listen to His still small voice when he indicates that. But, it is wonderful to not “have” to be “so structured”. We let Him guide our days more now. And pray and ask Him daily “what for today, Father”! The things that have to be done to keep a household running are, of course, done with His help! We just let Him do the “structuring” now and it is amazing, too!
Have posted this quote below at this blog before, but it may help and strenghten someone’s walk today that isn’t familiar with it:
“I strongly suspect that if we saw all the difference even the tiniest of our prayers make, and all the people those little prayers were destined to affect, and all the consequences of those prayers down ththrough the centuries, we would be so paralyzed with awe at the power of prayer, that we would be unable to get up off our knees for the rest of our lives.”
….Peter Kroeft,Author and Professor of Philosophy at Boston College.
This was in a Christmas card from a friend in past..and touched us profoundly. May it bless someone today!
The enemy trembles. Sorry for typos above!
I thave a prayer journal on file on my computer. Dear God. I pray and than ask the Lord is there anything between us and what I should do about such and such. 5 years ago my prayers changed when the Lord spoke would you be quiet enough to hear me! You are doing all the talking! I started to be quiet and have heard from him. He loving points out what is between us and shows me what to do! I confess and than after a year of so of this I press control a (all) and press delete. This way I cannot go back know specifically what I said! A blank sheet – so to speak!
Romel what an encouragement your prayers are! I’ve have tried to pray for everyone. I understand what it is to lose a job! The Lord is faithful and supplies our every need!
Margaret!
Love what you wrote and was so blessed by it. It is sooo important to be “In HIS Presence” and listen, too! And? Am in agreement with you about Romel’s powerful prayer language! She stands on the Promises and is an example for us all about that. Praying His Word back to Him amazing. He used the word to send the enemy fleeing when He was tested in the wilderness! His powerful “It is written” available to us today when we pray the Word! Also? Liked your idea to delete things after a period of time! Those have pierced the ceiling..Then, you are moving on to fresh new days with Him. Thank you for these thoughtful comments!
Ladies, asking all that can to please lift my Aunt Carol up in prayer, she has been battleing cancer for two years now, and my Mom just called to say she has gotten a bad report from the doctor, they have found four spots on her brain, my Aunt and Uncle are on their way to Nashville as we speak to meet with the specialist to decide where to go from here….Pray for streangth for my Mother her heart was broken when she called me, and it’s very hard for me to hear the woman of faith that is so strong break down…I will keep you updated thank you for the prayers.
To the Author. You asked for ideas on how to find more time to pray. For me it just a matter of making an appointment with God to pray at a specific time, and place it on my calendar if necessary. Just as I keep all appointments in my daily routine, I most assuredly should keep that appointment to pray. Just make it a daily habit, routine, or whatever you wish to call it, and do it. I always have time to do othere things. God said to put him first, and all else would fall into place.
Visial aids are good. I have reminders on my computer, my walls, my bathroom mirror, my fridge of God’s goodness, and a reminder to pray.
Thank you for your devotional.
In Christ Jesus…PattY
Thank you all for your prayers for my beloved Aunt and family.
I like the comments about being more in God’s presence and just being silent. That is very hard for me to do. I can go a few minutes and then I start thinking of other things and loose focus. I have to apologize to God and say here I am again. Sometimes I pray when I go by myself for my morning walk. I was never a rosary person, to repitious. But sometimes on my walk I realize the beauty of the rosary. By repeating prayers, it sort of brings you into a mediative state, focusing on the LORD. There are many ways to pray the rosary, but it is customary to recite one of the joyful or sorroful mysteries at the end of each deca. Joyful having to due with Jesus’s birth and such and of course sorrowful having to do with his crucifiction and resurrection. When I do pray the rosary while walking, after every decade, I insert one of my children’s names and pray for their needs. By saying the rosary, I notice that it helps me to focus longer and just be with God. I still prefer just talking to God, but I can see the benefit of this form of prayer.
PS. I, also, lift up all who need prayer today Lord. You know Lord, all of their names on this blog and their specific needs, Lord. Amen
Beloved Lord Jesus …We come before your Throneroom this evening and lift up Maia’s Aunt Carol .. You are Lord of the impossible and we stand on Luke 18:27 asking for a miracle this day… and that by Your stripes Aunt Carol is healed already..we Praise You for Isaiah 53:5 and know that Jeremiah 32:17 is in place, too, Nothing is too hard for You. Please be with Maia, her Mom, Aunt Carol and all the family members..and sustain them as they make this journey. We ask, believing, in Jesus Precious and Powerful Name…Amen and AMEN!!!
Thank you Fran for that beautiful prayer, on behalf of my Aunt Carol and my family…we are still waiting to hear from them but it is so nice to know that you girls are here lifting her up in prayer..(((HUGS TO YOU ALL)))
Precious friends of faith, today was hard, but God was faithful and gentle with my grieving heart. You see these bosses of my husband and mine are also friends that used to attend our church. What hurts even more is that during a time when the business could have failed my husband stepped in and worked many hours extra with me at home in wheelchair due to my wreck. I am hurt, but God is going to have to fight this one, since my blood pressure has been elevated recently. I have the support of my pastor and close friend. Thankyou all for your prayers I also have lifted up the prayer requests mentioned today. My heart grieves as I write but I know God is faithful, there are many with burdens so much deeper than mine that I hate to even grieve over something so trivial. Romel my two life verses are Jer. 29:11 and the Psalm 139 chapter. Precious reminders of God’s knowledge of who we are and how much he has things already worked out. Margaret, praying for your legs that they become stronger each day and Maia for your loved one and Jersey girl for your aunt. I have read all the responses twice today for added strength, I wish I could physically hug you all. I normally do not reach out in this way but my heart cries today.
Maia be sure if you can to record your Aunt’s voice and get her testimony on tape or something. My Uncle a precious pastor passed away from diabetes and I wish I had his testimony taped where I could always remember his voice. I miss him so much. I pray for a miracle with your Aunt. God is Faithful, always
Loreli I hear the pain in your words and my heart and prayers go out to you. You probrally even feel a bit heart sick and frustrated. Thanks for reaching out to us. Thanks for reaching out to the rest of us! Sometimes when I am in need I don’t always reach out and I want it just for me! My legs were fine today! I just hope it was just the damp weather. God is so good! I miss my Mom but I am a lot better this week.
Loreli: Like Margret said it is so easy when we are hurting not to reach out and help others, thank you for offering your words of support and reaching out with love and concern for others when you are hurting…I am so thankful that I have all of you here each one of you truly are lights in a world that seems so painfully dark.
Loreli…(((((((Hug for Loreli))))))) from all of us…and (((((((Margaret, too))))))). HE’ll help with those precius legs, Margaret. Prayers going UP! Bless you dear, ladies, for reaching out from your own pain..Maia put that so well! Loreli, the Lord is closeby, too, as HE went through betrayal on this earth, too, when HE walked it. HE understands and will comfort and guide. And, just as you said, He is faithful! That’s by my sink downstairs to remind us every day, we don’t walk alone and He helps! Bless you both!!!!
Maia, Loreli, Jerseygirl…all of you precious ladies. Know I am praying for all the concerns of your hearts. To know you are grieving and hurting…pains my heart. I will pray tho..Must make this short…Love to all of you in Jesus Name!
Thank you for commenting on my devotion and sharing your good ideas. I like to include God’s word as I pray for others. Psalm 105:4 reminds me to look to Him and His strength and to seek His face always. Lord, help us all to grow in our prayer lives. In Your name, amen.
Milt
lots of times during the day i find myself praying for some one or just thanking God for what he has done for me my family and friends
sharon b
My husband read the responses along with me last night. As we sat on the couch he commented that this is a blessed sight and he was so touched by your responses. You are all so very dear to my heart. Thankyou for your prayers, May God bless you all today and meet all of your needs, physical, financial, emotional and spiritually. Blessings, Loreli
Thanks for praying for me and my family! Your prayers on our behalf have been answered in amazing ways! God is good! Joan
Yes, prayer is the best and most effective weapon against the spirit of evil and harm/danger that hovers around us. i acknowledge that i easily get vexed at people who cannot seem to grasp my logic and who do not seem to act with propriety. i lose my temper most of the time but then i feel so guilty. but i know that if we confess our sins, God will forgive us. and that when we acknowledge our weaknesses and ask God to rectify them, those weaknesses can vanish but then it is not easy. yes, we should be prayerful all the time, wherever we may be and whatever we are doing. God is omniscient and he can hear and be with us wherever we are.
Pray for others around while you are waiting:
In traffic
In waiting room
in grocery line
for a spouse to “get ready”
for “your turn”
commercials to end
at Post Office
At bank\
during hair appointments
I think you get the picture.