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But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him (Psalm 4:3, ESV).
Any routine needs variation. With weightlifting (or any other exercise), a continually repeated exercise eventually loses effectiveness.
It’s the same with prayer.
The solution: change things and vary the routine. Following a new plan can invigorate prayer, allow further strengthening, and renew enthusiasm. Why pursue diminishing returns when we have a God who promises this?
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours (Mark 11:24).
Below is a new prayer routine that I’m practicing this summer. I fully expect to be moving mountains by August, and I think that you can too. Hey, if YouTube™ videos can promote health by eating protein and drinking coconut milk, why can’t we have faith in a new practice to bring needed change to praying?
First, know that prayer allows God to be God and humbles us to be us. Asking means humility — a needed ingredient for successful praying.
Now, my new routine:
- Select a focused passage of Scripture.
Who satisfies you with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:5).
This week, as you read the Bible, find a passage that directly speaks to you. I selected Psalm 103:5 about good things and satisfaction with age. I have memorized this verse and review it daily.
- Develop specific requests based on this verse.
I’ve developed several specific prayer requests based on this verse. I asked the question, “What good things do I want God to do in my life?” My life focus has been disciplemaking, and I’m praying for resources to develop an interactive website for those seeking to be discipled or begin a discipling ministry.
I’ll know when this request is answered as I know the amount of funds needed. From your life passage, choose applicable requests or needs. List the requests on a piece of paper, and along with your focus Scripture, pray daily.
- Prepare to do battle.
Ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind (James 1:6).
As soon as I ask a specific request, I experience doubt — too big, not rational, what will people think, or who am I to ask such a thing? When I recognize it’s my flesh or the evil one implanting doubt, I stand and take that thought captive to the obedience of Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:5).
This is my “three-step plan” to invigorate our prayers this summer. It’s simple, developing specific requests based upon a passage of Scripture that the Spirit leads you to.
And then stand, as Timothy Keller writes, “Failing to pray is a failure to treat God as God!”
I heard recently that God is offended when we pray small prayers. So in a prayer group I am involved with we have been practicing praying ‘impossible’ prayers. This may not sound like a big answer to prayer but to me it was. I have been coughing, especially at night for months. Last night Tony prayed a simple prayer that I would relax and I would have a good nights sleep. Immediately I stopped coughing and fell right to sleep. There was one time in the early morning that I stirred and started to cough. I said No and fell back to sleep. I’m standing in this victory. Thank you, Lord!
Thank you for your faithfulness to prayer impossible prayers!
Thanks be to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit and may He keep me faithful to the end. Thank you for your faithfulness in writing Interruptions