On This Sunday… Pray Diligently!
Look around you today while you are at home, with your church family, and as you go around in public. Pay attention to those things which may be burdens to others around you. Consider the other person’s concerns as greater than your own, then think about how you would want someone to pray for you. Either pray alone for the other person or ask to pray with the other person.
On this Sunday, I encourage you strongly to just understand the necessity of prayer. Please take one minute and read through the following verses on prayer. Recognize how important prayer is for you, for others, and for your church family. Notice these key verses:
Matthew 6:5–8
5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Hebrews 4:16
16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Philippians 4:6–7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
1 John 5:14–15
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.
Ephesians 6:17–18
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
1 Timothy 2:1-8
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, … 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;
James 5:16
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
1 Peter 4:7
7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.
On This Sunday… Pray Diligently
Again, as you go about your day, please engage your heart, the people around you, and consider the needs of others. Jesus invites you to pray. Great fellowship awaits with Him and with those with whom you get to pray.
On This Sunday… Pray Diligently!
Image Credit Rosie Fraser
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
I anticipate going to church this morning looking for people I can care for and pray for. Thank you for giving us such a thorough call to prayer!
God is doing something good as many of us desire to know God because of our challenging circumstances. May we learn to seek his face (dwelling and praising him for who he is) not just his hand (what he does for us). That is how we find the secret place where being with him – it doesn’t matter what happens so long as he is with us. Hasn’t he already done abundantly more than we could ask or imagine in going to the cross on our behalf?
May he grow is to trust him so that like our persecuted brothers and sisters, our greatest joy is in seeing those who once persecuted us (or were extremely difficult people) in our churches seeking to know God through the ministry God gives us because of seeing God’s love through us. What great joy we can share with our Savior when we have partnered with him on that way! May we pray for one another to that end.
Amen!!