prayer time – Page 2

Ordinary to Extraordinary Prayer: Wisdom

July 21, 2016 by Ellen 6 Comments

This month, we are discussing ways to move our prayer life from ordinary to extraordinary. Last week we talked about having a plan for reading God’s word. This week, we’ll talk about wisdom: taking the spiritual truths we have learned in scripture, and applying them to our life.

I will admit to you right here and now, this is very hard for me. I read scripture, I understand it, yet I have trouble applying it in my life. Now, I can absolutely tell YOU how to apply it! But that isn’t the object of my personal prayer time, is it?

For instance, I could quote the scriptures that say to “bear with” one another in love:
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13 (NLT)

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” Ephesians 4:2 (NLT)

But when it came time to bearing with those who irritated me or were a tad bit different than me? Well, there wasn’t a lot of love or patience flowing. Until Jesus showed me His way. And it brought me to my knees:

One Sunday, a youngish (late 20’s) woman visited our church. She was dressed a bit less conservative than most of us. While chatting, she openly admitted she was husband hunting. Goodness! As she walked away, bleached blond hair and tight fitting skirt swaying, tongues began to wag. And I was right there with them. We snickered at her clothing (or lack of), and at the obvious way she eyed each man walking by.

Not long after that, the Lord hit me between the eyes with such truth, it staggered me. What we should have done – no, what I should have done – was put my arms around that young woman, and tell her how proud I was of her. I should have told her how smart she was to look in the body of Christ for a Godly man to marry, instead of bar hopping or meeting strangers online. I should have encouraged her to visit us again, in hopes that she would meet her real Bridegroom. THAT would have been wisdom.

Sadly, I didn’t, and I never saw her again.

What do we do, then? How do we acquire wisdom? How do we get to the point in our lives that we automatically and with a pure heart, apply the truths from God’s word? If I had the answer to that, I could sell it and become a millionaire. But there are a couple of things that can move us in the right direction.

First, ask God for wisdom.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

Then, pay attention to the scriptures you are reading. Ask yourself: Is there a command here that I need to obey? Is there a sin to avoid? Is there a lesson to learn? Is there new truth I’ve learned? If so, resolve to carry it with you and live it out in your daily life and activity. By doing this consistently, it will become a part of your life, a part of who you are in Christ.

Last week, we looked at Mark 10:36 and the question Jesus asked: What do you want Me to do for you?

Wisdom is taking that question and turning it around:
Jesus, what do You want me to do for You?

Now…listen for His answer…and do it!

Be sure to click Subscribe for Updates (top right) to receive “7 Scriptures to Ignite Your Prayer Time” – my gift to you!

Grace be with you,

Ordinary to Extraordinary Prayer: Warm-up

July 7, 2016 by Ellen 4 Comments

Do you have a dedicated time each day to sit quietly with God and read His Word? If not, maybe you’ve been wanting to begin, but just aren’t sure how or when to go about it! Over the next few weeks, I’ll walk you through several things that have worked for me. It may be a great starting point for you, until you get into a regular habit of meeting with God. We are each fearfully and wonderfully made, and blessedly unique, so you may have to change things up to suit your personality.

Your prayer time with God is your spiritual exercise. As with any exercise, there has to be a warm up. I’ve found three main areas help me get ready for my time with Jesus:

First, decide on a time and a place that you will meet with God. I find mornings work best for me, even though I am NOT a morning person. It is a wonderful beginning to my day, and I don’t get sidetracked with my never ending to-do list. You know, like laundry and cooking supper!

Begin the warm-up of your place the night before. Tidy up your prayer area. I like to have my area as neat as possible. When things are nice and orderly, I won’t be distracted, mentally putting away that book, or filing that bill. I’m kinda OCD like that.
Another thing I do the night before, is set the coffee pot. When I am ready to settle down in my special spot, I grab the coffee that is already brewed (in a favorite mug, of course), and head into my prayer room. If you have a favorite candle, light it up! Make this a special time, something you will look forward to each day.

Finally, have all your resources in one place. Mine are in a pretty basket by the sofa. My little basket overflows with my Bible, prayer journal, and pens. I use my favorite colored pens, because you never know what kind of mood you’ll be in, or if you’ll want to Pray in Color or do some scripture mapping!

You can buy a pretty journal to record your prayers, or just use an inexpensive composition notebook. I use loose leaf paper, and store the pages in a binder. At the end of the year, I take my pages out, and tuck them away in a pretty storage box in my closet. I have about eight years of journals in that box. One day, my grandchildren will be able to read how I prayed for them.

Sometimes, I will have a “to-do” that I can’t get off my mind. Usually it’s a work related item that will need attention as soon as I get to the office. I jot these little things in my prayer journal, laying them out before God. I put them on His altar, releasing them from my mind.

Scripture is a great warm up for your mind. Have a reading plan (we’ll go into more detail next week about God’s Word). But also have some go to scriptures to ignite your prayer time. Invite the Holy Spirit to teach and lead you.
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10

The most important heart warm up is confession. Beth More once said that before she ever begins her prayer time, she falls on her face before Almighty God, acknowledging her sins to Him. Whether or not I am physically on my knees or face before Him, my heart is pouring out to Him. Mentally and spiritually I am telling Jesus: “I messed up yesterday. My heart and motives were wrong. Forgive me, Lord!”
“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;” Acts 3:19

Be open with God, bringing everything to Him. Confess, repent and return to Jesus. Refreshing will come as you spend time in His presence.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Keep trying until you find what works for you. Remember to give yourself grace. But do start! Today is a great day to begin a habit of meeting with the Lord.

Next week we’ll discuss reading scripture to move our prayer times from Ordinary to Extraordinary. In the meantime, I have a list of “7 Scriptures to Ignite Your Prayer Time“. Click Subscribe for Updates (top right) to receive this free gift!

Grace be with you,

« Previous Page