A Mini Series, On Prayer {Day 1}

I know that we're just coming into a very busy time where our gardens are concerned, but something has been pressing on me.  So, let's (mentally) lay down our garden gloves and canning lids for our time together this week. This week I want to do something a little different.  For a few days, I want to talk about prayer.  I know I don't fully comprehend it's power and importance.  I know I don't engage in it enough.  I know my prayers aren't always what they could be.  I'm not alone in this, right?  I want to make some changes and beef up my prayer life and I'm hoping you'll join me.

So, here's the plan.  Today, I'm going to remind us about what scripture says about prayer.  Tomorrow, I'm going to offer up some thoughts on mealtime prayer.  Wednesday, I want to talk about the importance of praying for others and some practical ways of how we can pray more effectively for them.  Thursday, we'll go out even further and talk about praying for the world.  Friday, I won't post, but I want to challenge those of you who have read along all week to set aside 30 minutes of deliberate prayer time.  Yes, 30 minutes.  We can do it!

Are you ready?!  Let's begin!  Below are some of my favorite verses about prayer and how to pray.  If you have a favorite that you don't see here, please type it out into the comments.  Let's remember that these are not mere words from an old book.  These are the words breathed (2 Timothy 3:16) by God for US- you and me- for this very day.  Let's meditate on these verses and commit our week of prayer to God, asking that He will do mighty things with our prayer lives from this week forward.

"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 

so that you may be children of your Father in heaven."  Matthew 5:44-45a

"But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door 

and pray to your father who is in secret; 

and your father who sees in secret will reward you." 

Matthew 6:6

"When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentlies do; 

for they think that they will be heard because of their many words.  

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need 

before you ask Him."  Matthew 6 :7-8

“This, then, is how you should pray:

   “‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
   as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:9-13

"Then he said to his disciples, 

The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few; 

therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest." Matthew 9:37-38

"Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; 

the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Luke 22:46

"So, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, 
believe that you have received it 
and it will be yours." Mark 11:24

"Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." Luke 6:28

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; 

for we do not know how to pray as we ought, 

but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words." 

Romans 8:26

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18?

"...the Lord hears when I call to Him." Psalm 4: 3b

"The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective." James 5:16b

Prayer {Day 2}: Mealtime
Prayer {Day 3}: Praying for One Another
Prayer {Day 4}: The World