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, August 17th: Lord God, thank You for the many, many examples of godly men and women who have faithfully followed Jesus down through the centuries! They are such an encouragement to us, that we too would be loyal and devoted to You day by day. Yet we confess Lord, that we get tripped up so easily by sin and various things in this life that drag us down and away from You. Forgive us for turning away from the path You have personally set before us. Help us by the power of Your Spirit to choose You and the way of Christ over all other things. For the glory of Jesus’ Name, Amen.
- Monday, August 18th: Prayerfully read/listen to Hebrews 12:1a. Using a Bible dictionary or an app, look up the Greek definition for what is meant in the phrase “everything that hinders” (NIV) from Hebrews 12:1 (also rendered “weight” ESV; “encumbrance” NASB). How is this different from the Greek word for “sin”? Why does the writer of this letter make a distinction between these two concepts? In your life, what are the things that hinder you (but are not sinful) and what are the sins that entangle you?
- Tuesday, August 19th: Prayerfully read/listen to Hebrews 12:1. Referring back to your notes from Monday, what did you notice about things that are hindering and entangling you? Read or listen to Hebrews 12:1b. What are we called to do in this part of Hebrews 12:1? How are we to “run?” Would you say this is how you are “running” your race? Why or why not? How can you run your race more like Jesus ran His?
- Wednesday, August 20th: Prayerfully read/listen to Hebrews 12:2-3. This verse describes the way Jesus ran His race (lived) while He was on the earth. What are the things that take your eyes off of Jesus? List as many of these as you can. What does it mean to “fix” your eyes on Jesus (consider looking up the Greek and English definitions of the word in this context)? What must you do to help yourself turn your eyes upon Jesus (while at the same time trusting 100% in the work of the Spirit)?
- Thursday, August 21st: Prayerfully read/listen to Hebrews 12:2-3. From memory or by a scan of one of the gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry, review the “opposition from sinners” that Jesus endured as He preached, taught, and healed. Think about all the antagonism and hostility He faced over three years, and this was before the last days of His life! What does Hebrews 12:3 say we are to do with this understanding? How does prayerfully meditating on all of this help you? Hebrews 12:1 says we are to remember the great cloud of witnesses too. How would thinking of the saints and martyrs of the faith help you keep your eyes on Jesus, and be a reminder to keep the grumbling about your own circumstances in check?
- Friday, August 22nd: Prayerfully read/listen to Hebrews 12:3. The writer says that if we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will not grow weary and lose heart. Paul also encourages us in Galatians 6:9 to “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (NIV). Why do both writers encourage us to not “grow weary?” While the Greek words are not exactly the same, the point is similar – to not give up, to not turn away, to not become weak. What disciplines and structures do you have in place in your life to ensure that this will not happen in your life? If/when you see it happening… what do you do? Who do you call on? How do you pray? Take some time to pray about all of this throughout today and tomorrow, and reflect on ways to ensure that you are running your race well.
- Saturday, August 23rd: 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, August 24th: Almighty God, we thank You so much for those who have taught us, led us, mentored us, and modeled the way of Christ for us. Whether these are saints who have lived out their daily lives before us, or perhaps we have read about their lives in books, or learned about them in a movie, we are grateful. They have helped us understand what it means to be like Jesus. Now grant us, oh God, the power of Your Spirit to do the same for those around us, and those who come after us, for the sake of Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
- Monday, August 25th: Prayerfully read or listen to 1 Tim 1:18-19. Also note 1 Tim 1:2a. How does Paul refer to Timothy in this letter? Why does Paul refer to Timothy this way? If you don’t know, there may be information at the start of the letter, or do some research with a Bible app or dictionary. Who do you consider to be your spiritual “parent(s)” in the faith? What reasons do you give for this? Take some time today and give God thanks for this person/these people. If it is appropriate, send a note or email and say thank you for their presence in your life!
- Tuesday, August 26th: Prayerfully read or listen to 1 Tim 4:9-14. It is clear from this passage that Timothy is a fairly young pastor in Ephesus, yet Paul is encouraging him to not be intimidated in his position. What are some specific things Paul is instructing him in? Have you ever sat under a young pastor or teacher? What did you think? Were you able to pray for that person (either openly, or at least in your time with the Lord)? Even in the church, what are we more often apt to do, rather than pray? Has this been your experience? How can we turn this around?
- Wednesday, August 27th: Prayerfully read or listen to 1 Tim 4:1-14. Consider the qualities Paul highlights to Timothy. How can you exhibit such qualities and be an example of godliness to others, regardless of your age? Ask the Lord for the strength and power of the Spirit to walk faithfully with Him, so that others will see such qualities in you.
- Thursday, August 28th: Prayerfully read or listen to 1 Tim 6:11-14. Again, Paul gives a list of qualities to Timothy. How is this section of the letter different – or similar to – the one in chapter 4? If you were Timothy and you were receiving this letter from Paul, do you think you would feel encouraged and strong, or would you feel even more intimidated?
- Friday, August 29th: Take the time to read all of 1 Timothy, and imagine Paul is writing this letter to you personally. What would he change in it to personalize it? What would stay the same? Use some imagination and think this through. What would Paul say to you in his letter that would both encourage but also challenge you? Consider the ways the Lord could use such an exercise to help you grow in your faith!
- Saturday, August 30th: 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!
