Paul - “We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Colossians 1:3)
Years ago Newsweek magazine published a series of articles on prayer, following an extensive survey of the American public. They discovered at that time that “29% of Americans pray several times a day, 36% pray for financial or career success, 75% ask for strength to overcome personal weaknesses, 82% pray for health, success or for children or a family member, and 87% believe God answers prayers.” The truth is the people who most believe God answers prayers are those who pray daily.
Although we can pray throughout the day, it helps us to have a consistent prayer life if we have a scheduled time and place for daily prayer. Daniel served God while being a top government official. One key to his faith and faithfulness was he had a daily time and place for prayer (Daniel 6:10). We can pray by our bedside, in our living room, or at our kitchen table when we wake up in the morning or before we go to sleep at night. We can pray while we’re driving. We can pray at work. Wherever and whenever we pray, we must figure out a way to be consistent in prayer if we want to experience God’s presence, peace, and power in our lives and if we want God to respond to our prayers.
Paul, like Daniel, was a person of prayer. And we learn from Colossians 1:3 that as he prayed, he prayed faithfully and fervently for others. Do you pray for others - and if so, who do you consistently pray for? Do you consistently pray for your family members and friends? For Church leaders and friends? For hurting people you’ve become aware of? For government leaders and our nation? For missionaries and ministries around the world? Do you consistently pray for the advancement of the Christian faith and cause in our region, nation, and world?
Every week at Celebration, people ask us via Communication Cards, emails, or at webcc.info to pray for them and others. And every week we receive reports of God blessing, delivering, healing, helping, and saving people in response to our prayers. So, don’t stop praying! And don’t stop believing God will hear and respond to our prayers!
Prayer - Lord, show me how to have a consistent daily prayer life, where I bring my requests to You for myself and others, and I daily receive Your direction and help.
Reflection - What steps should I take to have a more consistent prayer life? And who or what do I need to be faithfully and fervently praying for?
