PRAYER PROMPTS

11/11/09 Prayer is to be on-going----“pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) So how does one do that? What prompts one to pray?

Years ago Mother was on a plane from Nashville to New York and at take-off the passengers were advised that there was a problem and to please assume crash position. The plane then turned sharply heading back to the airport. Immediately Mother began to pray.

Crisis is a great prayer prompt.

Mother said that she felt a real sense of peace as she prayed and was assured that I would take care of Daddy. She lived many years after that chaotic landing. Since her death it has been my brother, Bobby, who is Daddy’s main caregiver. Just remembering that, fills me with gratitude and I begin to pray for Bobby.

Gratitude is also a great prayer prompt.

Today is Veteran’s Day. I am reminded to pray for Daddy and lift praises for my favorite “purple heart” vet.

Holidays and celebrations are great prayer/praise prompts.

The biopsy was positive, your spouse has walked out, the injury resulted in paralysis. (Psalm 119:71)

Affliction is a great prayer prompt.

Amy Carmichael said, “Do we ever bring His own words to Him and find that He turns away? Never.” (Edges of His Ways, p. 204)

Scripture is a great prayer prompt.

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) theologian said, “The true spirit of prayer is no other than God's own Spirit dwelling in the hearts of the saints. And as this spirit comes from God, so doth it naturally tend to God in holy breathings and pantings. It naturally leads to God, to converse with him by prayer.”

God’s Spirit is a great prayer prompt.

Panic prayers, grateful prayers, fearful prayers, and breath prayers are all links that connect us to God day in and day out. But what about those times when we don’t know how to pray? What to pray? Prompt without the purpose.

26Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)

Perfect prayer from the Perfect Prompter.