Creating a prayer chapel . . .

The author of this devotional booklet I’m reading offers instructions for prayer. Today he says to find a place or environment to pray without distraction or interruption. He realizes this will be difficult for some and tells of a lawyer who prayed on his daily commute be learning how to become deaf to distractions. He imagined himself meeting with Jesus and built “a chapel in his soul” so he could spend time in prayer on a train.

Jesus said, “When 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.” Mothers with young children know that the only way they can escape behind a closed door is when their little ones are asleep!

As an aside, Jesus also offered instruction in what to pray, not using “empty phrases” thinking we will be “heard for our many words” but to follow this pattern . . .

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day 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 evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:6–15)

I’ve read this many times, but this morning noticed the priorities. First, honor our relationship with God and each other. It is “our Father” not “my Father.” Then exalt who and where He is. Ask regarding His rule and will, knowing He is sovereign. Finally, ask for daily needs, daily forgiveness, and daily protection from temptation and evil. Jesus emphasizes the need for forgiveness by repeating its importance.

As for a place to pray, Jesus went to lonely places in the wilderness and on mountains. That would be nice, but not possible for everyone. However, it does point out that I can pray outdoors.

Isaiah prayed in the temple where he “saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” (Isaiah 6:1) I can pray in my church, a place of worship.

Moses talked to God in the wilderness beside a burning bush that was “burning, yet it was not consumed” and God called to him out of the bush saying, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground . . . . I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” From there, God gave Moses instruction for the important part he would play in the history of God’s people. (Exodus 3:2–11) I can pray in the wilderness as Moses did.

Samuel was just a small boy asleep in the temple of the Lord when the Lord called to him. At first he thought it was the voice of the priest, but was told otherwise and to return to his bed. Eventually, the boy responded with “Speak, for your servant hears” and communed with God from the place where he slept. (1 Samuel 3:1–10) I can pray lying on my bed.

The Bible has a host of other examples. My preferred place is to pray while I am walking. This helps me shut out distractions, particularly if I go outside. When I stay in, my to-do list, a ringing telephone, and a host of other things tug at me. The only problem with walking outside is that I tend to pray out loud, and that can gather unwanted attention.

As I read these and other passages this morning, I’m thinking that having a special place might help in setting a habit, but what about those times when I cannot go to that place, or am on holidays? For that reason, I like the lawyer’s idea of building a chapel in his soul. Then, not matter where I am, I am taking my place of prayer with me.

The best time to pray

Saturday often challenges my habit of prayer. Yesterday was a challenge. I prayed it bits and pieces, then longer later in the afternoon, but the entire day bore evidence of not making prayer a priority.

Selwyn Hughes says, “If you fix your prayer time at the end of the day, then it will be backward looking. If you fix it at the beginning of the day, it will be forward looking.”

In Matthew, Jesus said, “Rise, let us be going” not “Now I lay me down to sleep.” Not that evening prayer is wrong, but the words said then will be different when they end a day that began with prayer. I know this, for every time I miss or scrimp on morning prayer, the day is like all of it was put in a blender. What a mix-up. Far better to wash my heart and mind in the presence of Christ before I face the challenges of each day . . . as the people in the Bible continually verify . . .

The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. (Isaiah 50:4)

Prayer is preparation. When all burdens are given to the Lord, He settles me so that whatever comes my way is easier to deal with. I know how to answer questions and meet needs, and they are not distractions but opportunities.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:1–3)

Things go better when I pray first. My computer does not act up. I can find things. Telemarketers leave me alone. I know what to say to those who call with pressing problems. I don’t forget what time it is and make meals before stomachs are growling. God seems to put me in a cloud of protection after I pray. My studies are also easier. I understand what He is saying to me in all that reading and through the online lectures. Prayer is the way He plows up the hard soil and prepares me to receive and gain from His Word, rather than feel frantic and be distracted by so much to do . . .

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty. (Matthew 13:23)

Aside from the schedule of praying first, it seems totally foolish to not pray when I consider the promises Jesus makes about prayer. He says, “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:14) and “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7) and “In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:23–24)

Asking in His name is not a magical incantation stuck on the end of a prayer (although that is often the way it is used). Instead, it is realizing that I cannot stand on praying ground on my own. My sinful life has no business with God apart from the grace I enjoy in Jesus Christ. He is my Savior and my God, the One in whom I come. He represents me before the throne of God, but I also speak as His child, His ambassador, His bride when I come before the throne of God. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

By thinking about who I am in Christ, and about His promises to answer prayer in His name, and about the way He blesses each day, then beginning it with prayer becomes the only logical thing to do. It is the first response to a loving and gracious Savior — who is always awake at heaven’s eternal dawn interceding for me.

Three problems, three answers

Three issues tend to meddle with my prayer life. One of them is not knowing how to pray other than the obvious needs I see around me. God’s answer to this is to use the prayers in Scripture. Here are two examples . . .

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:2–6)

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. (Colossians 4:12)

These verses tell me to keep at it, be thankful, pray for other Christians that they will boldly and clearly share the Gospel in gracious and wise speech, and that each one will rely on Christ (maturity) and know the will of God as they serve Him. God’s Word tells me how to pray.

Another problem is becoming overwhelmed with the problems of life. I might feel alone in my struggles, unable to talk to God about them. The Bible is filled with examples. For instance, as Ahab and Jezebel sought to destroy the prophet Elijah, instead of seeking support from others, he fled into the wilderness and was by himself in a cave. There, “He wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ He said, ‘I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.’” (1 Kings 19:13–14)

I can do that – run off into hiding when I feel threatened. Thankfully, God does meet me in my fears. He did the same for the Israelites when they ran away for a different reason than did Elijah. As they were escaping the bondage in Egypt, life became tough and they began to complain rather than pray. This sounds so familiar!

They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt? Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.” And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. (Exodus 14:11–16)

God rescued them after Moses cried out to Him. I know the feeling of being alone and unable to call out to God for myself. His answer is to seek the prayer support of others. I am not alone.

Another problem is feeling so overwhelmed by my failures that prayer seems impossible. This happened when the people of God went back to their land after being in exile. They heard the Word of God and were weeping because of how long they had been in disobedience . . .

And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them. (Nehemiah 8:9–12)

God used their leaders to remind them that God had brought them back. They were in a holy place and He was feeding them in more ways than one. His answer to their need, and mine, is to hear not only the conviction of His Word, but also its comfort. Be in Bible study with others. Attend church. Do not weep alone.

Lord, I’m grateful that You understand the human heart and that You provide what we need to keep us strong and supported in prayer as well as convicted and comforted. Thank You for feeding me. 

Persevering in prayer

Yesterday I found out that God answered a prayer I’ve been laying before Him for decades. What joy! Then this morning my devotional reading asks if prayer is at the top of my priority list. The author, Selwyn Hughes, says to keep my appointments of prayer with God, whether I feel like it or not.

Even though going to God is not like a dentist appointment, it is often an appointment involving hard work, one that is difficult to keep. Why is that? When prayers are answered, prayer is easy. When life is challenging, prayer is almost automatic. I run to God with personal need, or when I feel that my spiritual enemy has the upper hand . . .

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord! I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life! In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies, and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul, for I am your servant. (Psalm 143:9–12)

Prayer comes easily when I need His advice, or when I am filled with His Spirit and have a song in my heart. Being thankful also makes time in prayer seem well spent . . .

Look carefully then how you walk . . .  be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .  (Ephesians 5:15–20)

The prophet Samuel indicates that what takes the stuffing out of prayer is intercession for others. He told God’s people that he had an obligation and a burden to pray for them and failure to pray would be sin . . .

Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king. (1 Samuel 12:23–25)

I find that an obligation to pray is different than personal reasons for prayer for it requires a sacrifice of time and effort. It requires fighting distractions and allurements to do something else, or it requires giving up sleep, food, even comfort. Jesus did all of that as, “In those days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:12)

The apostles made prayer a priority too. When a problem arose about the ministry of the early church, “The twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’” (Acts 6:2–4)

The church made prayer a priority. When James was killed and Peter was arrested and put in prison, “earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” (Acts 12:5)

Groups of Christians also met in special places for regular prayer: “And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together.” (Acts 16:13) Some of their prayers were for each other, but I’m certain they prayed about many other things.

Praying often is important, but not always easy. Battling the lies of Satan is one thing, but those lies usually concern my own spiritual health so I’m motivated. Praying for others can be more challenging and is an act of sacrificial love. Praying for the ongoing work of God in the church and in the world requires great grace. I need the will and determination to continue, and most of all, a strong faith to believe that prayer is far more important than anything else.

Prayer time . . . part of life

I suppose that a person might try “to stay on the good side” of God so He would answer their prayers, but that is an unrighteous motivation, and smacks of pride. If I were doing that, I’d be setting the standard for “good” and attempting in self-effort to reach it to benefit me. This is vanity.

Besides, righteousness is imputed. I cannot create it. On this the Bible is clear. Jesus took my sin on Himself and died to pay my penalty, but in doing that, God worked out an amazing trade . . .

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

By this wondrous transaction, God changes the lives of all who enter it through faith. Those changes transform our prayer life. Instead of His back being turned, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer . . .” (1 Peter 3:12)

Yesterday I did not keep my regular prayer time, yet enjoyed an entire day of intimacy with God. This can happen because prayer is not about checking off a to-do list. It is about communion with God, and such conversation does not require a special place or posture. God was speaking often. I listened and responded and enjoyed a great sense of His presence.

Today, I’ll return to a regular routine for that also is a blessing. However, I’ve learned some important truths in experiences like yesterday. For instance, early morning is mentioned often, so I’ve supposed that is the best time to pray . . .

O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch . . . I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. (Psalm 5:3–7)

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35)

Yet many other verses say God wants to hear from His people at any time or place. He wants my attitude to be like the psalmist who said, “God—you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts.” (Psalm 63:1, Message) I can pray any time and in any location . . .

Wake up, soul! Wake up, harp! Wake up, lute! Wake up, you sleepyhead sun! I’m thanking you, GOD, out loud in the streets, singing your praises in town and country. (Psalm 57:8–9, Message)

Peter is one example of praying in the middle of the day as described in Acts 10:9. Some men were on their way to see him, and as “they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray.”  

This was about noon. Most Christians also pray at bedtime, thanking God for the day, reviewing, and confessing any sin that may have occurred that day. Actually, the Bible says we are to “pray without ceasing” which isn’t as much like those formal times as it is like yesterday was for me.

As the same time, regular prayer is like regular meals. I need it to be spiritually healthy. God warns me not to selfishly focus on my needs all the time. Instead, He turns His face my way when I come to Him mindful of that great and amazing trade — I am righteous and can pray with assurance because of the imputed righteousness of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Struggle means amazing conversations with God

One lie that my spiritual enemy uses is that God becomes annoyed with my feeble attempts to live for Him and to pray to Him, so He leaves me and occupies Himself elsewhere. I get more than annoyed at my feeble efforts so it is easy to believe that lie, even stop asking God for help. But Jesus says . . .

What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:11–13)

But this lie concerns more than my prayer life. That old devil also uses it to get me discouraged. He says things like, “You will never learn, never get it right. Your feeble efforts are a joke in the face of God and He is fed up with you and of course you should be fed up with yourself . . .”

Paul knew that Christians get stuck on those kinds of thoughts. He wrote the church at Thessalonica and told them how he and his friends were praying “most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith . . . Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:10–13)

This morning I noted that “He increases my love for others and He establishes holiness in my heart.” I will not be perfect until Jesus comes, but that isn’t the point; the point is that He does it. All my efforts are useless unless I am relying on Him in faith. The sequence is faith > obedience > growth. “Try harder” never enters the equation.

Immediately following this word about being established blameless in holiness, that old liar put the thought in my head, “You? Never!” but that lie didn’t get very far. The very next verse in my devotional booklet was this one . . .

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

I cannot become blameless, but nothing is too hard for God. He is amazing. Whenever I am in any spiritual battle, I can be thankful for Jesus who intercedes for me. He set the example for my prayer life too, making it a priority in His life. He rose up “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)

Prayer is a gift, a privilege. God wants to discuss everything with me. Even these devotional thoughts are a conversation with God. He speaks, the enemy interrupts, and He speaks again with reassurance for me against those lies. He knows every thought, every struggle, every desire, and continually reminds me that He will never leave me or stop loving me. His Word will always be available to guide me through the battlefield of life and answer the attacks of my enemy.

This is why “I find my delight in your commandments, which I love. I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes” and why I am so glad that “God remembers His Word to His servants, in which He has made me hope.” (Psalm 119:47–49)

At times, my scattered mind seems an easy target, but I realize that in the struggle to remember and rely on the promises of God, I am drawn back to Him continually. I need the daily bread He offers, and I need that “pray without ceasing” that He commands. Without the struggles, I’m certain that I would not pray, for the enemy would quickly lie and tell me that I didn’t need God at all.

That very first prayer . . .

My first prayer happened when a kitten named Pudgy disappeared. After looking for what seemed like hours to my pre-teen mind, I sat on the edge of my bed and tried to bargain with God. I said if He produced my kitten, I’d do whatever He wanted.

The kitten showed up. She was sleeping inside a small bookshelf. The Lord kept His part of my bargain, but I didn’t keep mine. It was many years later before I even thought about obeying God.

The first and most vital prayer happens at salvation, which is God’s invitation, His presenting of a ‘bargain’ to us. He says, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) This promise (a better word than bargain) is repeated throughout the Bible . . .

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11–14)

In the former days, most of God’s covenants were not like this one. He promised using words like, “If you do this, I will do that . . .” but because no one would or could keep their side of it, He sent His Son who would keep the covenants. Jesus did the will of God perfectly, but He did far more by also paying the penalty for our failure and disobedience. This ‘Messiah’ was hinted at and outright declared throughout biblical history, telling God’s people to trust in this promise and hope for His redemption.

Because Jesus came, “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21) This is God’s desire. He wants to spend eternity with us, but our sin prevents that, so He provided a way to deal with that problem. The price is paid and the way is open to whosoever will believe in Jesus.

In that regard, God’s people are told to pray for everyone, not just that our lives would be blessed, but that people would be saved:

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1–4)

When I was a child worrying about my lost kitten, I had no idea that my sin was a serious barricade between me and God. For it I deserved death, but Jesus took my sin upon Himself and died that death. In an incredible trade, He then gave me His righteousness. I’m often slow to live out that gift, but it is mine, not because I asked for it, but because He is a God of grace and promise . . .

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

As I now pray for others, including leaders and those in high places, I often wish His answers would come as quick as those I prayed to find Pudgy, but “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

In the right time, God is more than able to enlighten eyes and grant faith to those on my prayer list and anyone else. I am convinced that nothing is impossible for Him. Because He saved me, I am certain He can bless and save whoever He wants.