Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2)
pray continually, (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Last week as we reflected on Bible Study we saw clearly that the Bible is the best manual for our Identity. It is, therefore, important to note that the Bible leaves no doubt about the essential role of prayer in the life of the believer. In each of the verses above, there is an expectation of full commitment where prayer is concerned. Note the words associated with prayer: “faithful”, “devote”, and “continually”.
Please prayerfully reflect on the Bible verses above.
Something to think about:
From your personal experience, what are clear indicators that you are either fully committed or not fully committed to prayer?
February 27, 2018 at 4:59 am
Praying is a way of life for me. I love that I can reach God in such a simple manner. I pray about everything.
However, when it comes to being “fully committed”, it’s hard to say that I am. Not because I am not committed to praying, but because when troubling situations arise, I sometimes start to worry BEFORE I turn to God in prayer. It rarely happens, because as a child of God, I have faith to know that God is in control, and all I need to do is leave everything to Him.
The fact that I worry less because I pray more is an indication to me that I am committed to prayer. My desire is to be 100% fully committed to prayer.
February 27, 2018 at 5:05 am
Trials are usually a good indicator for me to know whether I’m fully committed to prayer or not. The times when I don’t feel to pray because of a difficult season and I feel overwhelmed. Romans 12:12 serves as a good encouragement during these times because it reminds me about what my attitude should be during these times. I should have hope and joyfully so, I should be patient when I am afflicted and I should be faithful in prayer. This helps me to remember that my true identity is in Christ and this process would help me to be identified with Him because he went through these things.
February 27, 2018 at 6:52 am
My words and actions are usually good indicators of my current prayer life. My identity is reinforced during prayer which leads to conversations and actions infused with hope and faith. In times of distance from God, due to lack of the connection and intimacy that comes with a consistent prayer life, my actions show it. Lord, even now I pray You would hear our prayers and align our thoughts to You.
February 27, 2018 at 7:27 am
Usually, the frequency with which I pray is an indication of my commitment. At times where I’m very in tune with my prayer life, I find myself praying more (multiple times throughout the day). When I’m less committed, I tack a prayer on at the end of the day just to say I’ve prayed. I think the former shows that when I’m fully committed, prayer becomes so natural that I can’t help but do it throughout the day.
February 27, 2018 at 9:29 am
Pray, pray pray , pray pray. This is what we are called to do everday in everything. Although I try to remain prayerful throughout my days and circumstances, I have found it to be very easy to get distracted or to simply forget… sometimes, before I know it, the day is over and I barely prayed, if at all. These times however, remind me of a number of things:
– God’s mercies are new every morning – I get to repent and try again the next day. Practice makes perfect.
– Jesus died on the cross for me – no matter how much I fail, the power of His blood is potent and will cleanse me from my disobedience in not praying and investing more in the created that in the Creator (ie. being distracted from Him by other things)
– Nothing can seperate me from the love of Christ – I plod on and keep on trying to do better every day. I am comforted that though I fail often, Jesus wil help me to do better
Dear Lord, please help me to remain steadfast in prayer. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
February 27, 2018 at 11:18 am
I learned to pray or at least have conversations with God often during the day but need more commitment to pray formally so to speak.
My mother would tell me to trust God, ask God, God is love.
Recently I learned to give thanks more often.
Hopefully in time I will become better and devote more time to Him.
February 27, 2018 at 8:54 pm
Priority, frequency, and quality are some indicators to my prayers. The reason that i enjoy walking in the morning is because i walk and talk to God. It is the first thing i look forward to. The frequency factor i noticed is based on external circumstances. When conditions are favorable, my prayers tend to be less frequent, as compared to a difficult day, i will have a burst of short prayers. The quality aspect involves having a genuine conversation with God, i can express all my shortcomings and area(s) of my life that i am falling short. I am also able to express my gratitude for his blessings.
February 28, 2018 at 3:55 am
If I measured my prayer life simply by its unceasing nature then thank God I would get 100% as that would mean that regardless of whatever else I am doing, my mind would always focus on God in prayer as I always talk to God, however, if I were to use both quantitative and qualitative measurements, I would fall short. For me, the strongest indicator is not talking TO God but talking WITH God! Am I simply having a “one way conversation” where I breathlessly pour out everything on Him and do not give Him a chance to talk to me? Am I distracted either physically or mentally by all I have to do? Do I feel His presence near me until I totally abandon myself in Him? Do I go beyond words and delve into the realm of the Holy Spirit?