The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8, ESV).
A purpose of Interruptions is to get you to pray more often.
I’ve been practicing what I describe as 5-second praying. In yesterday’s Interruption #1049, I described my practice of praying five seconds for each item on a list of needs before I get out of bed.
(I keep the list in my mind and allow the Lord to remind me as I pray.)
I’ve found these 5-second prayers to be a great way to release the power of God as I start my day.
But I also find myself praying for five seconds often during the rest of the day.
When I say, “I will pray for you,” I pray for five seconds right then. When my mind wanders, which it often does, and I remember a person, I pray for five seconds. If I hear of someone who is sick or has a need during the day — yep, another five seconds.
Perhaps you’re disappointed that I don’t pray for hours and hours for each prayer request. I don’t have the time; no one has this amount of time. But I’ve concluded that my 5-second prayers are just as effective for most prayers.
The point is asking in faith, not many sentences.
I have lengthy prayer times, especially when I have a major decision. I’ve practiced a type of soaking prayer, where I stay in the presence of the Lord until I feel there has been a breakthrough with a difficulty.
I went through a time in my life once when I was up most of each night praying for two months.
Perhaps that’s why I enjoy 5-second prayers now!!!!
Let’s remember it’s the faith, not the time. When you spend the day with a friend, do you speak for 10 to 15 minutes, take a breath, and then speak for another 15 minutes? No, you have brief conversations back and forth throughout the day.
The Apostle Paul teaches this when he writes, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Jesus said . . .
Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise (John 5:19, ESV).
What was Jesus doing throughout the day while He was teaching, arguing with the Pharisees, feeding the five thousand, and healing the sick? He was having 5-second prayers with His Father, which is how He knew what the Father was doing every part of His day.
I’ve found as I grow closer to Jesus that my 5-second prayers have become a natural expression of my friendship with Him.
The book of Revelation depicts a scene in heaven where there are bowls of incense (the prayers of the saints) that ascend before the Father. We have a great opportunity — if we practice 5-second praying — to add thousands of prayers to those bowls.
Imagine your name attached to many prayers. Wow, what a privilege!
Let’s remember to . . .
Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days (Ephesians 5:16, NLT).
I challenge you to pray more often – just five seconds many times each day.