PRAYERS ARE FOREVER
Your prayers will outlive your life. I love this quote by E.M.Bounds because it reminds me of my mother’s prayers. She was the one I called whenever my family had a need. We were strengthened knowing she was storming heaven on our behalf! When she died, I thought we lost not only her, but her prayer support as well.
But then I learned prayers are forever. God keeps the prayer of His people in golden bowls in heaven. They do not die even though the intercessor is no longer on this earth. My family still lives under the covering of my mom’s prayers. I believe they will continue to minister for generations to come. I want to live up to her legacy for my children and grandchildren. I believe in prayer not only because it was modeled for me, but because I have witnessed its power. Through communing with God, circumstances change. More importantly, I am changed.
Prayer is not complicated. It’s simply talking to God continually. That means even outside our private time of prayer (which is vitally important to maintain). In the ordinary, mundane times of life, we can keep a running dialog with God. We just need a little prompting.
They’re called prayer triggers. I’ve asked the Lord to make me aware of them. His promptings to pray need to be on my radar.
I want my first waking thoughts to be of Him. As soon as my eyes open, I want to embrace this is the day the Lord made. He has written down all of my days, so I long to fit into His plans. I want to acknowledge Him in all my ways and commit the day to Him even before my feet hit the floor.
A morning shower reminds me to ask for renewed cleansing so I can walk in purity.
Dressing calls to mind the robe of righteousness with which Jesus has clothed me. I visualize His armor that protects my life and ask for help to put on love and kindness with everyone I meet.
Selecting a pair of shoes prompts a prayer for God to order my steps and those of my loved ones.
Preparing a meal reminds me to pray that we find our delight and nourishment in God’s Word.
Leaving the house, I remember God watches over my going out and coming in. This encourages a prayer for God to keep my family members safe wherever they go.
Passing a neighbor’s house, I say a little prayer over a request she recently shared with me.
As I step into the day’s activities, I realize how much I need His help in everything I do. So I talk to God…about it all.
What are your prayer triggers?
Scripture Readings:
Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions
with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
I Thessalonians 5:16-17 Be joyful always. Pray continually.
James 5:16 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
I Peter 4:7 Therefore, be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray.
I Timothy 2:1 I urge then first of all that requests, prayers, intercession
and thanksgiving be made for everyone.
Revelation 5:8 Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense,
which are the prayers of the saints.
1. How can we remain open to pray?
2. When and for whom should we pray?
3. How have you found prayer to be powerful and effective?
4. What should always accompany our prayers?
5. How do God’s golden bowls of prayers encourage you to keep praying?
I love the words of Max Lucado: Before Amen – comes the power of a simple prayer. Prayer triggers are everywhere. Short prayers said at different intervals throughout the day will continue to be a blessing long after we are gone. Let’s ask the Lord for more reminders to pray. He will prompt us if we just look and listen. Be alert, clear-minded and self-controlled so you can remember to pray!
I love this lesson – it is so real and true to our lives if we stay in connection with the LORD. Each day of my life starts with BIBLE reading and Prayers. I love the way you put things into perspective with the start of your day – it sounds so much like my day. Even though I am retired my day still starts with prayers to GOD each morning and Bible reading – I just do not know what I would do with this part of my life. Especially since Louis – my husband – went to Heaven to sing in the Angel Choir and be with the LORD – I find myself chatting with the LORD more each day – being alone a lot of the time – HE is the only one in the house to chat with and it is so important to take all of our little things to the LORD. We can remain open during the days by dwelling with the LORD in our thoughts. There is our family first in prayer – then all of our friends who have given us prayers and all of the lost people in the world who do not know the LORD in their lives. The more you and I pray in our lives we will become more powerful and effective – dwelling on things makes us stronger and giving them totally to the LORD really makes us stronger. After our prayers then should come the PRAISE for the answer to our prayers always – the LORD loves our PRAISE – HE know how things are going for each one of us – but still loves our PRAISE. The golden bowl of prayers is a wonderful feeling – you and I are not forgotten at all by the LORD – isn’t that such a wonderful thought. You and I can never out pray the LORD or out give to his service either – just to know HE is always around us. Thanks – Karen – once again such a wonderful lesson. You mentioned Max Lucado – I have several of his books – both in paper books and on my Ipad and Kindle – they are always so uplifting and I love to pass them on for other to read. GOD IS SO GOOD TO EACH ONE OF US. Let us keep praying each day.
Karen, this post reminded me of the strongest example of the importance of our prayers that I have ever seen. My mother was the youngest of 5 children. Her mother was a strong believer but went home to be with Jesus when Mom was only 17. I don’t know the statistics, but I know that if people don’t come to the Lord at a fairly young age, they usually don’t come. While my mother came to Him in her early 40s, I saw my aunts and uncle come in their late 60s and early 70s. I have always felt it was their mother’s prayers that made this miracle possible. We have no idea just how important our prayers are. Thank you for the reminder.