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, October 19th: Almighty God, there are times when we consider how much You have given to us, and it takes our breath away! We are overwhelmed by the magnitude of Your generosity. The abundance of Your gifts is more than we can take in. Help us to never live from a “scarcity” perspective, but to always remember that You are the Father of Abundance! You are not a miser, but You do call us to be good stewards, and to manage this abundance with care and wisdom. Grant us wisdom Lord, Amen.
- Monday, October 20th: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 25:14 (especially 14b) with Genesis 1:27-31. How does the passage from Genesis give insight to the verse from Matthew? What is the expectation of the servants? Does it appear that the man trusts his servants? If you only read this one passage from Genesis, and knew nothing else about people or the story in the Bible, would it appear that God trusted Adam and Eve with the caretaking of the garden?
- Tuesday, October 21st: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 25:15. Based on this verse, why didn’t each person get the exact same number of talents? In your opinion, was the man fair? What, in your opinion, is the difference between “fair” and “equal?” Do you believe everyone should get what is equal, or what is fair? What should everyone “get,” and what should they “earn?”
- Wednesday, October 22nd: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 25:16-18. How did each servant deal with what they received? What happened to the two servants who worked (traded) their talents (or bags of gold)? What about the one who did not? Even though the one who had two never made as much as the one who had five, is he a failure? Why do we as the Church (universal) or in our culture sometimes do that? What is “enough?”
- Thursday, October 23rd: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 25:19-23, along with Esther 4:14. How did the master respond to the first two servants? What did he focus on, and how does this encourage us? What is the principle here for us individually? Think about the verse from Esther – is it possible that this point in time is a match for your talents or bag of gold; that “you have come to this place for such a time as this?”
- Friday, October 24th: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 25:24-30 with Esther 4:14. Why was the master so angry at the one servant? Have you ever been guilty of hiding your “talent” or bag of gold? Is this happening now? Notice what the master says to the servant in Matthew 25:26-30, and what Mordecai says to Esther – “if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.” The Lord WILL find a way, but what if His “plan A” is YOU? If you hide/don’t use your talent or bag of gold, the Lord will find another way. Be obedient to the Lord today!
- Saturday, October 25th: 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, October 26th: Almighty Father, You have created each person and placed us where You would have us. Too often Lord, we think we don’t have an impact on anyone, and that we don’t make any difference. Forgive us for believing this lie! The truth is – each one of us makes an impact; the question is whether or not we affect people for Your Kingdom! Come Holy Spirit and fill us so fully that we draw those around us closer to Jesus, and expand Your Kingdom each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
- Monday, October 27th: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 5:13. Can you imagine using “saltless” salt? Does that even make any sense to you? What do you think is Jesus’ point with this metaphor – and don’t overthink this! There are many reasons to use salt, but if it doesn’t have its basic quality, then what good is it? Jesus answers this question, and draws the parallel to His followers. How does this apply to you?
- Tuesday, October 28th: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 5:14-15. Based on this analogy, do you think the Lord wants His followers to be seen and noticed by the world? Why or why not? When is it appropriate to be “seen” as a Christian and when is it not? Do you think it is worth losing your job over? Losing your home over? Losing friends or position over? Losing your life over? How do you know when to make such decisions?
- Wednesday, October 29th: Prayerfully read or listen to Matthew 5:16 and Matthew 6:3. How do you reconcile Jesus’ admonition in Mt. 5:16 to let others see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven, with Mt. 6:3, that when you give alms, you should do it so secretively, you should barely even acknowledge it to yourself? Why does He seem to say two different things?
- Thursday, October 30th: Prayerfully re-read Matthew 5:13-16. This is a passage about having influence in the world, and upon those around you. We all influence those around us, just as they influence us. How can we be sure we are influencing those around us for Christ? Are there sure-fire ways? Take some time to pray and ask the Lord what HE would have you do to draw those in your life to Christ.
- Friday, October 31st: All Hallows Eve: Lord God, You are the Giver of Life, and the source of all eternal Hope. We thank You that in Christ Jesus, we have nothing to fear. We pray that You will banish all darkness, fear, and evil from our lives and from the lives of those we love. We look forward to that coming Day when the enemy will be cast away forever and ever! Help us to keep our eyes on Jesus, today and always, Amen.
- Saturday, November 1st: All Saints Day: Thank You Heavenly Father for the many people in my life who have shown me how to be a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus. Some of these people were known to me, and some I have known only through stories, books, or movies and TV. I can’t wait to see them face to face when You bring me into Your Kingdom! Help me to be such a person to others Lord. For the glory of Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
