Integrating Prayer into Daily Life

I. Introduction: God has given us an important blessing in allowing us to approach Him in prayer. It can be a source of daily strength, recognition of one’s reliance upon God, a means of focusing one’s attention to heavenly things, and a peaceful port in the midst of life’s storms. Few deny the importance of prayer yet some Christians have trouble integrating prayer into their daily lives. This evening we will examine impediments to daily prayer and ways we can weave prayer into the fabric of our lives.

II. Impediments

A. Weak faith

B. We can intellectually acknowledge God and his divine control but act as if he is not in control.

C. Francis Schaeffer compared this attitude to a hungry man who comes in from the cold, is presented a great feast and says “I believe this food exists” but does nothing to eat it. (Why We Pray So Little) Perhaps we focus too much on what we can see, touch, and effect instead of God who created it all and can act within our world.

D. Some do not pray because they do not know how God will answer their prayer or think he will do nothing.

E. God’s wisdom is greater than ours; it is not up to us to figure out how God will answer a prayer or if He will grant our request. The work of God’s hand is not always obvious so we are foolish to question or deny what we cannot know or see from our level.

F. Misconceptions

G. Must be very long prayers

H. Jesus’ model prayer can be spoken in less than a minute. There is a time for long prayers

I. Must be in fancy language

J. We do not have to speak like poets for God to hear our prayer. He is more interested in the outpouring of a heart than vocabulary

K. We do not have time

L. This is the saddest reason of all for God has given us time and we should honor Him by spending time with Him in prayer. If a person is too busy to pray, he is too busy.

M. Prayer bores us

N. Sometimes we get caught up using certain phrases and sentiments so that one could word a prayer without much thought. We need to change up the words we use, the order in which we pray for things, extend our scope of what we pray for. If prayer bores us, we need to stir up the embers in our soul so that we can be zealous and passionate about our service to God.

III. Must be regular

A. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 –“Pray without ceasing”

B. Prayer should not be an interruption in our day but a consistent part of it.

C. The earliest African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in their private devotions. Each one reportedly had separate spots in the thicket where he poured out his heart to God. The several paths to these spots became distinctly marked; and when any one began to decline in devotions, it was soon apparent to others. They would then kindly remind him, saying, “Brother, the grass grows on your path yonder.”

IV. Integrating prayer into our daily lives

A. In communications with friends and family we often use different methods

B. Sometimes we will call or visit and have a lengthy conversation Sometimes we send and email or make a brief phone call about matters of importance With the rise of instant messaging on the computer and from telephones, people can send quick little messages to one another. Each is appropriate for different circumstances.

C. Short prayers

D. Some prayers are like the instant messages

E. They address a particular problem or matter of praise. Nehemiah said a quick prayer before talking with the king Stonewall Jackson: “I have so fixed the habit of prayer in my mind that I never raise a glass of water to my lips without asking God’s blessing, never seal a letter without putting a word of prayer under the seal, never take a letter from the post without a brief sending of my thoughts heavenward, never change my classes in the lecture-room without a minute’s petition for the cadets who go out and for those who come in.”

F. Moderately long prayers

G. Some prayers are like the brief phone call or email

H. These prayers may address a couple of needs, subjects, matters of praise, and thanksgiving. These prayers are like Jesus’ model prayer, Daniel’s prayer for his people while they were in captivity, and many of the prayers in the Bible. It is a joy to spend time with God during those moments to build the relationship the Christian should have with his Father.

I. Long prayers

J. Sometimes we need to excuse ourselves from the bustle of life, escape to God, and spend much time speaking with God. Though brief prayers are important, sometimes we need to devote a large period of time in which we can concentrate on our prayer.

K. Some prayers may extend for hours

L. Jesus prayed all night before He appointed His apostles—a critical decision that would affect the growth of the church.

M. Jesus spent the night before His crucifixion praying in anguish.

N. In that time of prayer, Jesus knew He would be crucified. Jesus asked for strength to face the trials.

O. We need to plan time for prayer

P. Do not make prayer complex or set standards God has not set