There is an old song written by Mary A. Kidder that pricks my heart whenever we sing it in worship service. The first stanza is very simply put, but asks an important question:
Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?In the name of Christ our Savior, did you sue for loving favor, as a shield today?
According to Webster’s Dictionary, the word “sue” in this case means “to petition to or for”. How many times do we set aside time to pray every morning when we arise, petitioning to God in the name of Jesus our Savior to protect us and guide us throughout our day? When we do pray, is it an afterthought or a hurried attempt to make our requests known and then continue what we were doing?
In 1 Timothy 2:8, Paul writes that, “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer…” As noted in today’s verse, we are also commanded to “pray without ceasing”, indicating a continual state of prayer with God and we are further instructed that “in everything give thanks…”
Sometimes I am guilty of being in such a rush that I do not take the time to pray. At night, I am often so drowsy that waiting until I lie down in the bed to say an evening prayer can cause my mind to wander more than it should. Regularly scheduled prayers at a time when we are most alert can help us to focus on the fact that we are to reverently approach God’s throne of grace. It is a gift that we are able to enter the presence of God as opposed to being required to make our requests known through the priests as in Moses’ day. Christ’s death and resurrection tore the curtain barring access to the Holy place so that we can gain access to Him through Christ. Praise God that He wants such a personal relationship with us!
I bought a bookmark last year from Christianbook.com that is entitled “Adult Quiet Time” and it offers great ideas for ensuring that our prayers are effective, meaningful and sincere by setting aside a specific time to pray and keeping a prayer journal notebook with items for which to pray. By jotting down our requests, petitions and thanksgiving, we can refer to them as we pray.
On the bookmark is written:
You can keep Christ at the center of your life by spending quiet time with
Him. This quiet time is an appointment you keep with Him daily. Here are some
suggestions for developing a consistent quiet time.
PRIORITY - Make this a priority in your day. Select a time and schedule around 15 minutes daily.
PREPARATION - Find a place where you can be alone. Have your materials together (Bible, journal, devotional book, prayer list, pen or pencil).
PLAN - Develop a plan that includes prayer, Bible study, and writing down your thoughts.
We should consecrate a special time each day for talking to the Lord. Not only did Jesus instruct us to pray to the Lord, He also modeled this in His own life by going to God in prayer. Luke records, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16
I believe that the words of the song mentioned previously are a beautiful way to close our devotional today. May these words spur us to action to formulate a plan for regular prayer in addition to praying throughout the day.
Ere you left your room this morning,
Did you think to pray?
In the name of Christ our Savior,
Did you sue for loving favor,
As a shield today?When you met with great temptation,
Did you think to pray?
By His dying love and merit,
Did you claim the Holy Spirit,
As your guide and stay?
When your heart was filled with anger,
Did you think to pray?
Did you plead for grace, my brother,
That you might forgive another
Who had crossed your way?When sore trials came upon you,
Did you think to pray?
When your soul was bowed in sorrow,
Balm of Gilead did you borrow
At the gates of day?Refrain
O how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day;
So when life seems dark and dreary,
Don’t forget to pray.
