For most believers, there are moments they just can't pray. They're tired from a long day at work or after having to deal with some grueling challenge. At such moments, the zeal to pray is low. In fact, the energy to do almost anything is practically non-existent.
However, Jesus taught His disciples that prayer was not an option. Luke 18:1 - Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. In fact, Apostle Paul insisted that we are to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
These instructions are for everyone who claims to believe in Jesus. They do not ignore that there will be times we don't feel like praying. Having lived as a man, Jesus understood there would be times we would feel justified in not praying because we feel defeated and low. He knew that the devil would manipulate and take advantage of human emotions and feelings to discourage them from obeying God's instruction to pray.
This is one of the reasons why the Lord gave us His word in the Bible. With scripture, nobody needs to rely on heir emotions and feelings to get into the right mood to pray. Remember we are told in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. God's scripture is all you need to do His good work of which praying for others and yourself is one.
We need to simply proclaim the word of God. His word doesn't depend on our emotional state, we just need to speak it into the situations we see and those arising in our lives.
If for some reason the word of God escapes you, the Holy Spirit is assigned to take over at that point. Romans 8:26 - And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words (NLT). And this is a reason why we must give our lives to Christ in order to receive a deposit of the Spirit of the Lord who intercede for us in this way.
Furthermore, by becoming born again in Christ and thus the Spirit, we become sealed with the gift of speaking in tongues, which also does not depend on how one feels to be effectively utilized in prayer.
And be aware that complaining and grumbling are not prayer. They are therefore nor effective in getting what you need from the Lord. The Bible warns that believers should be careful how much they speak. Proverbs 10:19 - Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut (NLT). Complaining and grumbling increases the risk of speaking in sin because of the negative emotions involved.
Let us never forget to talk to the Lord, expressing our concerns and joys in reverence. Let us learn to apply His word, to call on the Holy Spirit to groan on our behalf and to speak in tongues as stated in Ephesians 6:18. In doing so, we will stay far away from the complaining and grumbling which can lead us to sin with our lips, and speak in a manner that displeases the Lord or that blasphemes the Holy Spirit - the only stated sin from where there is no return (Matthew 12:31).
FINAL MESSAGE
1 Thessalonians 5:28 - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Be blessed by the Almighty today and always. I pray your prayer life will increase and strengthen by the grace of the Lord, IJMN Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Glory be to God in the highest! Hosanna in the highest to the Sovereign Lord. The King of kings.
Again, dear God, You enabled us to gather in Your name for Your good purpose. Thank You, Father.
Remember us for honoring You this way. Hear and answer the prayers lifted in conformity with Your will and Your word. May the sounds of rejoicing proceed as an effect.
My prayer for Your people is contained in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 - May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Praise be to You alone, Lord. IJMN Amen.
LAST 10 MINUTES
Listen, all of us are going to have those minutes we want to do everything but pray. I would be a hypocrite if I didn't acknowledge this fact.
However, even God knows we're going to want to relax rather than pray. Or that we'll feel out of it, and prayer won't be what we see as the fix.
And so He's told us to pray always because it is exactly what we need in every situation. When you're happy, pray from a position of praise. When you are troubled, pray from your weakness knowing that His grace is sufficient for you.
And don't complain or grumble. Bees buzzing are more communicative to the Lord in those moments.
Next time you feel deflated, it is crucial to not forget you are relying on the grace and the name of Jesus Christ. His name does the hard work so lean into it and talk to God, You Father for He longs to hear You and talk back.
Lord, thank You for the blessing of prayer for it is a crucial way for me to communicate with You. I'm sorry for the times I've dismissed the power of prayer and the many times I've grumbled instead of prayed. Thank You for nevertheless giving me audience and helping me in ways I couldn't imagine. Take all the glory, Father. I long to have deep and enriching talks with you. Thank You that prayer is a way to achieve this. IJMN I pray, Amen.
*From MFC* - Jesus Christ, You laid down Your life on the cross so that our sins are forgiven. You endured so much pain and humiliation so that we have eternal life. I pray that those who have not yet received the gift of eternal life, get to understand Your word and know how selfless You are. Open their eyes to see the love You have for them. Weaken their dependence on their power and let them look up to You. Lead them to You, in the name of Jesus. AMEN!
You've been faithful Lord, from the ages past. That is why Your name is forever more. Glory be to You El Shaddai!
Isaiah 38:16 - Your words and your deeds bring life to everyone, including me. Please make me healthy and strong again. (CEV)
Father, the enemy enjoys seeing people sick and dying. However, You pleasure in healing the sick and raising the dead. You have proved this through Your servants who came before and after Jesus, including Christ the Lamb of God Himself.
And so, it is with this knowledge that I lift up my prayer subjects who are in need of healing. Jehovah Rapha. Jehovah Ropheka. The Great Balm of Gilead. The Mighty Physician. I lift up the words of King Hezekiah, a king You loved so much that You heard his anguish and not only healed him but extended His life.
Lord, work that miracle in the lives of my prayer subjects. Please make them healthy and strong again. And restore to them the good health they've lost and need. Remember You are He who has promised fullness of life, good health is an intrinsic part of that promise Messiah. And so it is to You I come with this request in gratitude that You would indeed hear and answer.
Strong and Mighty God, I give You praise because I will hear word of miracles and the bedridden rising from their beds. Miraculous healing that stupefies science, doctors and naysayers. Testimony that acknowledges that my God is the only God. IJMN Amen.
*From MFC* - Heavenly Father, we lift up the communities grieving over the most recent mass shooting in Kentucky. My deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. Thank You Lord for being close to the broken hearted.
May our leaders unify to work on a real solution to these tragedies. May they receive and accept Godly counsel.
Please forgive us from our wickedness here on Earth Lord. only when we turn from our wickedness ways will You heal our land. AMEN!
Most High God. You are seated above all. Nobody and nothing can stand in Your presence without Your invitation. Hallelujah!
God, You are the prince of peace. The One who gives His servants rest round about.
Lord, the enemy is an agent of chaos, seeking to steal, kill, and destroy the peace that is the inheritance of Your children.
However, You are the God whose dominion is everlasting. As such, what satan desires is irrelevant.
With that in mind, I pray for the peace of Your people. That they "may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior" according to 1 Timothy 2:2-3.
IJMN Amen.
*From BI* - Lord, I Lift into Your capable hands Your children experiencing poverty. In the wonderful name of Jesus, I command the spirit of poverty to depart from the lives of Your children. Lord, cause Your children to be like trees planted by the rivers of waters that they may prosper and lack nothing. I pray that those with more become instruments of kindness and generosity to those with less. I pray that barren lands become fertile and oases spring up in dry places IJMN Amen.
*From CS* - Thank you Lord whose mercy endures forever. Thank you for hands and feet that move and a mind that can think. Thank you for peace. Thank you for filling me with your love. Thank you for just being.
From CS - Hey FFJ,
This was another good reminder for daily Christian living. One thing that I've recently started is ‘praying the scriptures’. And that's just incorporating scripture in pray - the same way that we do in song. You pick verses that you love and you paraphrase according to your requests for God.
Ex: Thank you Lord Jesus for your sacrifice in spite of my faults. “With my whole heart, I have sought You.” With all that I have within, I seek you. I believe, Lord. Please, help me in my unbelief.
Those are from two scriptures. Psalms 119:10 and Mark 9:24.
But It helps me to learn scripture AND meditate on His word and statutes.
I have no problem at this time just praying. The only thing that's changed is the ritual aspect that Inused to add to it. I'd get to my alter, light some myrrh and frankincense, light a candle and just sit and... talk to God. Now, I just pray in my mind - little 15 second minimum prayers all day long.
I thank God for giving me the desire to pray. I pray several times a day because I want to stay ‘in the spirit’ and never leave, I want to cultivate my relationship with God, and I'm also afraid of what could happen if l lapse in prayer.
PRAYER TIME
As we have praised, we can now enter the gates of the Lord's abode with our intercession for other people.
That's one of the benefits of praise, it makes our God pleased and even more open to hear our prayers.
And so, we won't miss this blessed opportunity to pray for people. Remember this is not the time to pray for yourself. There will be time for that.
Instead give to others as Jesus Himself taught it is better to give than to receive.
*From MFC* - Jesus, my Savior, thank You for ensuring that I am followed by Your goodness and mercy for the rest of my life. You are the Good Shepherd who guides me to the good parts of life; so, Lord, I thank You. I thank You that it is You who satisfies my soul and fills me with Your goodness, forever and ever. So, I pray to You for the goodness that I am promised now and in the future. Lord Jesus, I love You and thank You in advance. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen.
Mighty God, You are He who called the imperfect and used them to do great things.
You who chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; the God who chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27).
Indescribable. Mysterious.
The Only God!!
God, You who rejoice over us Your children. Despite being the God of incredible feats. Indefatigable God.
Exceptional God. The Breaker of Walls. He who swears upon His own very name.
You who level mountains and turn deserts into gardens.
You are awesome, Lord.
From T1983 - Thank you father for everything!!! Thank you for covering my family and friends,my prayer warriors!!Thank you for making sure my niece’s surgery went well yesterday!! May her cysts in her ovary never return!! IJN AMEN
Almighty God!! Miracle Worker.
You are the owner of my life. The source of my breath. The God in whom I have complete confidence and trust.
You have proven Yourself worthy of all my adoration and belief. The God who never fails from beginning to the end.
Hallelujah!!
From MFC - Good morning Peppers, I pray that you all had a blessed Resurrection Sunday with your loved ones.
Praise God for this word today, @FFJ. Thank you for this gentle reminder. Sometimes when words fail me, I will recite the 23rd Psalm or The Lord's Prayer.
Popcorn prayers work too- Thank you Lord! Help me God! Just pop them up throughout the day.
The Bible tells us that God is our strength in weakness. I'm so grateful that at my lowest, I can praise the Lord and talk to Him through the scriptures.
Wonderful Lord, Your word tells me to be anxious for nothing, but with thanksgiving, present my requests to You. I bring You my prayers and petitions, along with my adoration, knowing You already have a solution for any problems I might have. I shall praise and rest in You, rather than worry. I welcome Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I thank You in advance for Your loving care. AMEN!
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
Holy Father. You are the Upright One. You are faithful and steadfast.
Lord, You are exceptional in all You do.
I praise Your wonderful name!!
From AW -
*From BI* - Thank You my Lord and King for allowing me to abide under Your Shadow. Thank You for choosing me to be Your child and breathing life into me. Thank You for making me a burning and shining light. My chain breaker, pain taker and way maker. I give You all the glory now and forever Amen.