So many of you are in my prayers... and I know SO very many of YOU. Like most of you, my days are hectic; filled with family, business, and commitment pressures. Plus, some of the people that needed prayer the most were either in the hospital, sick at home, or located a great distance away from me. I wanted to be more faithful (on a daily basis) in my prayer life, but "life" kept distracting me. Am I the only one that has faced this problem?
A few years ago, I would stick a “prayer reminder” note in my pocket, but I often got so busy that I didn't reach into my pocket until the end of the day. Sometimes I overlooked it altogether. One day, as I was scheduling a recurring meeting on my computer in Outlook, I got the idea of scheduling a time for prayer in Outlook, too. It schedules just the same as a recurring meeting, takes less time than getting a cup of coffee, and anyone reading about this on the blog already has Outlook (or a similar tool) available to them at their fingertips.
Day by day, Outlook would then force a pop-up window onto my computer screen (at a specified time), reminding me to pray, with something like: “Pray for so-and-so.” Day by day, I saw very little effect, but I had resolved to stay faithful. “To a pop-up window?” you ask. No, I had resolved to stay faithful to my commitment to come before God in prayer. Looking back, I see God’s awesome faithfulness… year by year.
Oh, and don’t be afraid to let people know that you are praying for them. You’ll be surprised how many will tell you how grateful they are. Sometimes I will reply to people by email with a prayer. Here’s one I have sent to people… some of you might even have received it from me at one time or another:
You are in my prayers…
I pray that God grants you strength; to weather the storms of life.
I pray that God grants you wisdom; to learn from every adversity, as well as every opportunity.
I pray that God grants you vision; to see a bigger part of life’s great tapestry.
I pray that God grants you joy; greater than happiness or satisfaction.
I pray that God grants you faith; to KNOW who loves you, and to whom YOU belong.
I pray that God grants you love; to share AND to receive.
I pray that God grants you patience; to trust and to move in God’s plan.
I pray that God grants you exactly what you need; not necessarily what you want, but what you NEED.
I pray that God grants you courage; to proclaim God’s Good News to the BEST of your gifts.
I pray that you remember…
To pray in Christ’s name… “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” ” – John 14:6
To ask in Christ’s name… “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” – John 16:24
To be saved in Christ’s name… “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” – John 10:9
To know exactly where our power comes from… “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
You are greatly loved!
Your brother in Christ, David Alan Hoag
A few years ago, I would stick a “prayer reminder” note in my pocket, but I often got so busy that I didn't reach into my pocket until the end of the day. Sometimes I overlooked it altogether. One day, as I was scheduling a recurring meeting on my computer in Outlook, I got the idea of scheduling a time for prayer in Outlook, too. It schedules just the same as a recurring meeting, takes less time than getting a cup of coffee, and anyone reading about this on the blog already has Outlook (or a similar tool) available to them at their fingertips.
Day by day, Outlook would then force a pop-up window onto my computer screen (at a specified time), reminding me to pray, with something like: “Pray for so-and-so
Oh, and don’t be afraid to let people know that you are praying for them. You’ll be surprised how many will tell you how grateful they are. Sometimes I will reply to people by email with a prayer. Here’s one I have sent to people… some of you might even have received it from me at one time or another:
You are in my prayers…
I pray that God grants you strength; to weather the storms of life.
I pray that God grants you wisdom; to learn from every adversity, as well as every opportunity.
I pray that God grants you vision; to see a bigger part of life’s great tapestry.
I pray that God grants you joy; greater than happiness or satisfaction.
I pray that God grants you faith; to KNOW who loves you, and to whom YOU belong.
I pray that God grants you love; to share AND to receive.
I pray that God grants you patience; to trust and to move in God’s plan.
I pray that God grants you exactly what you need; not necessarily what you want, but what you NEED.
I pray that God grants you courage; to proclaim God’s Good News to the BEST of your gifts.
I pray that you remember…
To pray in Christ’s name… “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” ” – John 14:6
To ask in Christ’s name… “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” – John 16:24
To be saved in Christ’s name… “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” – John 10:9
To know exactly where our power comes from… “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
You are greatly loved!
Your brother in Christ, David Alan Hoag
As one of the many on Dave's prayer list, I can attest to how powerfully it lifts my spirits, to know, not only that many many are praying, but that a specific person is specifically praying, sometimes *right then* and praying very intentionally. More than just a list of names, to take each one and pray earnestly and specifically for that person or situation - that is what I have known Dave to do. This has spurred me on to become more intentional in my praying. And on the other side, praying intentionally for others is a powerful blessing in my life, as Dave says, seeing God's faithfulness over the long-term as well as in individual cases.
ReplyDeleteOne of my friends here is a retired missionary to China. He and his wife are the first people I have encountered who really pray without ceasing. As they speak with me they are praying (but in no way a pious stance; just regular conversation). They are well aware of being in God's presence all of the time. Which actually we always are because He is always with us, but I know I am not always intentional and aware of being in His presence and calling upon His Name.