Tag: Constant Prayer

Prayer for You and Others Too

Prayer is our way of talking with God and voicing our glory for Him, our thanks, and our requests. In my time of prayer it is natural to go through my expressions in selfish ways for just me. And it is okay and certainly part of the process that I am there speaking with God on a personal level for me.

“2Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” – Colossians 4:2 (ESV)

Paul, in his letter to the church at Colossae encouraged them to continue in their prayer and does not detour them from their way, only encourages. I think that Paul wanted first to let them know that they are doing right and should continue doing that (prayer) in the interest of right actions.

I have to know that what I am doing is what I should be doing. Even in business, I ask for feedback on the actions I am taking to ensure that what I am doing is right and what adjustment I should be making. In the interest of being a lifelong learner and continuous improvement, I should be seeking out the views of others in order to move forward.

Although it is natural and Paul encourage the continued prayer for myself, there is also the element that I have to pray for others. And Paul makes that known in the next verses in his letter.

“3At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” – Colossians 4:3-4 (ESV)

Paul it seems is making the plea for prayers on his behalf. And where yes, he is right to do so, there is in my thinking more to it than his asking selfishly. I see here that Paul is reminding me that I have to be aware of and praying for the needs and actions of others and not just myself. He is telling me to continue what I am doing and add in the piece for others as well. This is the move from the selfish action to the selfless action and ensuring that ours and the petitions of others are lifted to God for His guidance.

And there is the feedback from Paul on the improvement that can be made in my prayer life. Not that what I was doing by praying for me and my requests, but that there is more to be added and offered to God. I have to be engaged in prayer for me and for other too.

It is the continuous prayer that I am able to do both and make my prayers and supplications to the LORD. Remembering that I should be coming to God all the day long, in all situations. I have to bring Him glory, thanks, and requests. And it is with that continuous constant prayer that I am able to bring prayer for me and for others too.

How selfish are your prayers? Are you reaching out to God for your benefit only? What if you took the feedback from Paul and lifted up prayer for you and others too?

Constantly in Prayer

I have to look in the mirror on this one to determine and adjust my approach to prayer. I find myself praying at the times when it is “scripted” to do so; in the morning and at night, at meals, before traveling, and in church. I look at this approach and see that in some cases I am praying four to five times a day. That seems pretty good and in thinking of other relationships I have, my conversations with God far exceed those others. But is that really constantly praying?

“12Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” – Romans 12:12 (ESV)

The verse above comes from Paul’s letter to the Romans. In this passage he is outlining the “Marks of the True Christian”. There is a lot more to this passage as at one point I did a 17 day study and writing of the full passage from verse 9 through 21 of chapter 12. I have to believe that Paul meant in the verse above to pray more than four to five times a day. I have notes of my thoughts to “stay in constant communication with God”. As a “True Christian” I have to be the example of what right looks like and walk the walk and not just talk the talk.

Now I do know that I am not always the “scripted” praying Christian as I have many a time where I have stopped to pray for someone or some situation in the moment. Yet, I also know that those times are not common enough in my work for the LORD. I have to constantly pray and communication with God. I should be praying for my walk in the mornings (and even during). I should be praying as I begin a new task. I should be praying at the end of a task. I should be praying when I think of another person. I should be praying in and around all situations I encounter and those where I am sitting idle.

Being constantly in prayer is not constantly sticking to the scripted times to do so. Being constantly in prayer is keeping the line open and speaking with God any time there is something that comes to mind. I think about when I was a teenager and on the line with the girlfriend and not saying anything but just breathing. Yet I knew that she was there on the other end of the line to chat when something came up. The relationship and the communication line with God is so much more important than that. He is there to listen and guide me. He is there to comfort me and carry me. He is there always and wants to hear from me. Be constantly in prayer.

What does constant prayer look like to you? Are you praying according to the scripted times and reasons? What if you just constantly prayed to God in and around all times in your life, no matter how “important” they may seem?