How's Your Prayer Life?
Are you praying on a regular basis? Are you meeting Him and sharing your heart? Whether you are or you aren't, we all need help when it comes to a consistent and meaningful prayer life.
Prayer is one of the most important things a Christian can do. It is a time we are communicating with God, and while there is deep theological meaning in prayer, it doesn’t have to be something that is complicated or difficult. It’s something anyone can do anywhere at any time.
Prayer Guide
- Sunday, September 7th: Lord, thank You for Your creation! We thank You for the work that You did to give us such a beautiful place to live. You entrusted to us the work of filling the earth and taking care of it. You have charged us with the work of carefully managing all You have created, and caring for all that You have provided for us. Help us to fulfill this task by the power of Your Spirit, for the glory of Christ Jesus, Amen.
- Monday, September 8th: Prayerfully read or listen to Proverbs 6:6-11. What are we to learn from the “ant?” What word does Solomon call the reader or hearer in this section? What message is he trying to get across? Do you think such a message would be received well today? Why or why not?
- Tuesday, September 9th: Prayerfully read or listen to Proverbs 12:11. Not everyone has “land” to work today. What could be substituted for “land?” What does Solomon mean by “chasing fantasies?” Who “chases fantasies” in our culture today? Have you ever been caught up in such things, rather than “working your land?” What was that like?
- Wednesday, September 10th: Prayerfully read or listen to Proverbs 13:11. How does “dishonest money” dwindle away? Can you think of examples? How does gathering “money little by little make it grow?” Why is this hard to do? Solomon was the richest man in the world during his time period; how would he know this? How much money is enough… or is this the wrong question? If so, what is the right question?
- Thursday, September 11th: Prayerfully read or listen to Luke 21:2-4. From the outside looking in, who would be considered “rich” in this setting? Do you suppose the “rich” people had worked hard most of their lives (or at least, someone in their family had)? Do you think the widow’s husband had worked hard? From Jesus’ perspective, who was the rich person? How does this truth help you in thinking about the connection between hard work and riches?
- Friday, September 12th: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 25:14-30. According to this parable, everyone has been given some sort of “talent/ability/gift” etc. The master clearly expects people to be industrious and to see each person do something with what they have been given. If you were one of the people in this parable, how and where would you fit into the story?
- Saturday, September 13th: Review each of these Scriptures, topics, and questions that you have worked through this week. How does all of this resonate with you? Pray through these things as the Spirit leads you!
- Sunday, September 14th: Lord God, thank You for being the Good Shepherd. You are the One Who calls my name. I hear Your voice and know I can follow You, because You are trustworthy. Thank You for leading me to good places, even though sometimes to get there, You have to lead me through dark valleys. Help me to always keep my eyes on You, and my ears attentive to only Your voice. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, Amen.
- Monday, September 15th: Prayerfully read or listen to Psalm 23. Too often, the only time we refer to this psalm is at a funeral. Why do you suppose that is? Carefully review this psalm, and look at all the ways the Lord cares for you, noting especially the personal pronouns. How could you re-word this psalm so that it fits more directly with your life (for example, rather than “He leads me beside still waters…” what would be more specific to your situation? Where has He led you that is peaceful and calm?)?
- Tuesday, September 16th: Prayerfully read or listen to Ezekiel 34:1-10. Who is God angry with? What does He accuse them of? If this prophecy was coming to the church today (this is not aimed at governments), would it still be accurate? Who would it be aimed at today?
- Wednesday, September 17th: Prayerfully read or listen to Ezekiel 34:11-31. What does Ezekiel say God will do for His people? What specifically does He promise to do?
- Thursday, September 18th: Prayerfully read or listen to John 10:1-10. Now that you have read the key Old Testament “Shepherd” passages, when Jesus declared that HE is “the Good Shepherd,” does this metaphor make more sense? What does Jesus promise? How does this connect with the Ezekiel passage? Do you think the people understood the reference?
- Friday, September 19th: Prayerfully read or listen to John 10:10. What does Jesus say about Himself vs. the enemy? How widely are the two of them contrasted? Do you believe for yourself that Jesus came to give you abundant life? How do you think Jesus would describe “abundant life?” How would you define and describe “abundant life?”
- Saturday, September 20th: Review each of these Scriptures, topics, and questions that you have worked through this week. How does all of this resonate with you? Pray through these things as the Spirit leads you!
