pray | Thoughts About God

No Time to Pray?

Thoughts_About_God — Wed, 20 May 2026 07:06:47 +0000

Please consider Luke 11:1: “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Martin Luther was an important and busy guy. The previous sentence may be a gross understatement, considering that Luther is often credited with starting the Protestant Reformation. Even if he wasn’t the originator, he was certainly the most prolific and fiery of its early supporters. Despite his hectic work schedule, copious writing, preaching, teaching, and other plentiful tasks, he still diligently made time to pray. He is quoted as saying

“I have so much to do (today) that I should spend the first three hours in prayer.”

Jesus too was an important and busy guy. (That sentence is clearly an even larger understatement than the one about Martin Luther!) As Savior of the world, Jesus spent His days traveling, teaching, arguing with religious leaders, healing sickness, driving out demons, and proclaiming the salvation available to the world through Himself as God’s one and only Son. (Among other things!) Yet “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). Mark gives us an example: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35).

The question for us is: If Martin Luther and Jesus Himself made time to pray, how can we possibly say we’re too busy?

Jesus begins his teaching on prayer during the Sermon on the Mount by saying “WHEN you pray”, not “IF you pray” (Matthew 6:5). It’s tough sometimes, because prayer doesn’t come naturally for everyone. Speak honestly to God: praise, frustrations, triumphs, fears, and deepest longings. After all, God already knows you better than you know yourself… there’s nothing to hide!

Remember that prayer doesn’t have to be long or complicated. It doesn’t need to be “holy sounding” either. You know what I mean, those prayers with all the right-sounding words that somehow end up sounding hollow. Use the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13 or Luke 11:2-6) as a guide, but not as a formula. Don’t just pray it rigidly, try to pray spontaneously, from the heart.

Just never use the excuse that you’re “too busy.” If Martin Luther and Jesus had time for prayer, you do too!

Question: Have you prayed yet today? If not, could you spend some time with God now?

By Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

How to Pray

What to Include in Prayer

How to pray with confidence

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Pray About Everything

Thoughts_About_God — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 07:03:12 +0000

“Call to me in times of trouble. I will save you, and you will honor me.” Psalm 50:15 (NCV)

Want to worry less? Then pray more. Rather than look forward in fear, look upward in faith. This command surprises no one. Regarding prayer, the Bible never blushes. Jesus taught people that

“it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit” (Luke 18:1 MSG).

Paul told believers,

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart” (Colossians 4:2 NLT).

James declared,

“Are any among you suffering? They should keep on praying about it” (James 5:13 NLT).

Rather than worry about anything, “pray about everything.” Everything? Diaper changes and dates? Business meetings and broken bathtubs? Procrastinations and prognostications? Pray about everything!

By Max Lucado
From: Come Thirsty
Used by Permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about/

Further Reading

How to Pray Articles

Sample Prayers – List

What Should Be Included in Prayer?

How did Jesus Pray?

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Answered Prayer

Thoughts_About_God — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 08:03:05 +0000

Each of us should carry a thankful heart for every “yes” we receive from God as an answer to prayer. We can also be thankful He doesn’t say “yes” to prayers that are not in agreement with His will—prayers that are based on our wisdom and not on His; that would bring leanness to our souls; that would put us in the wrong place; that would make us ineffective; that would bring us into wrong relationships; that would cause our hearts to cool; that would keep us from His highest and rob us of His best.

I know not by what methods rare,

But this I know, God answers prayer.

I know He gives His pledged word

Which tells me prayer is always heard,

And will be answered soon or late,

Though often it is hard to wait.

I know not if the blessing sought

Will come in just the way I thought;

I leave my prayer with Him alone,

Whose will is wiser than my own,

Assured that He will grant my quest,

Or send an answer far more blest.
(-Unknown)

“And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.” 1 John 5:14 (AMP)

by Roy Lessin
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Praise God for Answered Prayer

Persistent Prayer

How To Be Sure God Listens To Your Prayers

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Be Careful What You Pray For

Devotionals — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:06:47 +0000

“You were not to know any god except Me, for there is no savior besides Me. I cared for you in the wilderness, in the land of drought. As they had their pasture, they became satisfied, and being satisfied, their heart became proud; therefore they forgot Me.” Hosea 13:4a-6 (NASB)

“God, please bring suffering into my life.” Why would someone ever pray that? Seems foolish! Back in 1997 I had the audacity to pray this while attending a discipleship training school abroad. Was I just an enthusiastic, but rather naïve 19-year old, or was I on to something?

We need to be careful what we pray for. God I need a better job. Lord, please help us get a house with more room. Please help me find the right person to marry! God, can you heal my back pain? There’s nothing wrong with these prayers. God wants to hear our concerns and desires, but we so often pray for what we think will make our lives better. Gaining comfort is often our primary motivation.

Greener grass is not what we really need. When Israel got what they wished for, they forgot all about God in their prosperity. When life gets easier, we tend to take His kindness for granted and fail to live with an attitude of thanksgiving. God’s generous gifts then become idols that stifle our spiritual growth.

I’m not suggesting that we pray to have suffering, but we do need to think through our priorities. Our greatest need as followers of Jesus is to become more like Him. In God’s plan that often means allowing seasons of trials to drive us to greater dependence in Him. If God’s bottom line is to make us more like Jesus, then we should start praying like it’s ours too.

Dear God, make me more like Jesus no matter what it takes. Amen.

By M Jantzen
used by permission

FURTHER READING

How to Pray Articles

Sample Prayers

Praying with Confidence

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Crucial Communication

Thoughts_About_God — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 08:06:24 +0000

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”– Romans 10:17

Have you ever heard someone say that talking to plants helps them grow? While there is no scientific evidence supporting that, some studies suggest that plants and insects may actually communicate through sounds and vibrations. If nature needs to communicate in order to thrive, shouldn’t it be the same for us?

Communication is the transfer of information between two parties. It involves listening as well as speaking. Done well, it improves relationships and enhances lives. There are various ways to communicate — through words, music, art, etc. A major way God communicates with us is through His written Word. We communicate with Him through prayer and worship.

Our text reveals that when we hear the message of Christ, something happens on the inside. Our faith increases. The more we tune into God’s redemptive message, the better we are at walking ”by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). This is crucial to our growth. Then, when waves of trouble crash down on us, our faith can better thrive the onslaught.

Later in his letter to the Romans, Paul also tells us,

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

How are our minds transformed? By letting God deposit the Truth, found in His Word, inside of us. For God’s communication with us to transform us and make us better disciples, we need to listen, and then respond in faith.

Heavenly Father, give me an undeniable love for your Word. Teach me to quietly listen for you to speak into my life. I want to be transformed by the renewing of my mind as I communicate daily with you. Increase my faith. Make me new. I am yours. Let my life shine for you, Lord. Amen.

Go Deeper — All relationships need time and communication. Will you put time aside to do just that with God? How about setting a daily “date” with Him to pray, read, and meditate on His Word?

by Caroline Bellemare
used by permission

Redeem the Time

Thoughts_About_God — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 07:03:16 +0000

“. . . redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16

That’s one of the Apostle Paul’s phrases (Ephesians 5:16); the phrase is sometimes translated as “make the most of every opportunity,” but I prefer “redeeming the time”. Redemption language is mostly used in connection with salvation. But the original context for that language was the slave market, when a slave’s freedom was purchased. When that happened, the slave was redeemed: bought at a price, paid in full, and set free. It’s a striking picture of what Jesus did for you: bought you at a price — his own blood — paid in full, and set you free. You’re not a slave (to the devil, to sin, to fear, to death, to selfishness) anymore.

Jesus did even more: he then adopted you as his child, and appointed you as his priest and ambassador.

He redeemed you. Is there a better story in all the earth?

And this is the language Paul uses in relation to time: Redeem it. Buy it back, set it free, and appoint it to a new purpose entirely. So much of our time is “enslaved” — we’re stuck in traffic, or waiting outside a doctor’s office, or sick in bed, or locked into a job we can barely stand. Time is our taskmaster. It rules us, and grinds us.

Well, redeem it: pray in the traffic jam, ‘walk across the room’ in the Doctor’s office, memorize the Word on your sick bed, turn your menial tasks into acts of worship. When you do that, you rule time, and it submits to you. You’re free.

My challenge to you this week: when you find yourself in circumstances you can’t change — time is not your own, but is ‘enslaved’ to some other purpose. Ask God how you might, there and then, redeem it. And then just do it.

by Mark Buchanan
used by permission

Check or Deposit?

Thoughts_About_God — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 07:03:12 +0000

I once had a lady tell me that her counselor told her to quit praying because it was only causing her to focus on her problems. What a sad statement! Prayer is the amazing opportunity to invite God into situations and relationships in order to bring hope and healing.

I understand what the counselor was saying, yet prayer is so much more than simply rehearsing the difficulties and challenges and desperately begging God, “please, please”.

Dutch Sheets, in his book Watchman Prayer, says it well. “Prayer is not a check request asking for things from God. It is a deposit slip – a way of depositing God’s character into our bankrupt souls.”

Think about who God is. His character, reflected in the very names we find in Scripture describe the power and might, the majesty and the mystery, the love and the caring that God desires to bring into our lives through prayer.

When we focus on God and all He is, our perspective changes, our faith grows and peace begins to settle over our bankrupt souls as we look to Him. Thankfulness begins to flow in the place where desperation resided.

Think about the situations and relationships that are troubling your heart right now. Set aside the blank check that you want God to fill and take instead the deposit slip of His character and pray into those situations in a new way. It will change the way you pray and it will change you and your situations.

Here are some examples of using the deposit slip of God’s character in your prayers:

In difficult circumstances that seem to never end:

Thank you, God, that You are the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of all things; You know the details of this situation that I bring to You now. Please give me Your wisdom as I seek a resolution. You alone are the God of Heaven and Earth. Thank you that Your presence reaches even into this situation. May I be amazed at Your presence in these difficult circumstances as I trust You in this. You saw the beginning and You know the ending. Thank you that You will carry me and give me strength and wisdom as You work in this.

In trying relationships:

Thank you, Father God, that You, the Sovereign Lord, sits enthroned upon the circle of the Earth. Nothing and no one is beyond Your reach. Your love reaches to the ends of the earth. Bring Your love into the tense relationship that concerns me today. You are the Almighty God, You are armed with strength and nothing is impossible with You. Stir my heart with fresh love in this sandpaper relationship. Help me to hear the feelings behind the words. Arm me with Your strength and protect my heart as I trust You to bring healing.

Deposit faith in the attributes of God’s character as you pray today.

“May the God Hope fill you with all joy and peace, AS YOU TRUST IN HIM so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

How to Pray Articles
What Should Be Included in Prayer?
Foundational Core Truths about Prayer by Sylvia Gunter

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Why Don’t You Ask

Devotionals — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 09:01:39 +0000

“…. give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11

You know the saying, “You don’t ask, you don’t get?” God makes it clear in His Word that He wants us to ask Him for the things we need. When Jesus told His followers how they should pray, He included a request for “daily bread.” In other words, God wants us to come to Him for the daily necessities of life.

I think it is very easy for us to forget where our resources come from. Most of us are very independent when it comes to making a living. We work to earn an income so we can buy food, clothes, and a roof over our head. We may work long hours away to provide for our families. Sometimes we get so focused on our own efforts that we overlook the reality that God gives it all.

Jesus’ earthly brother James, wrote in his letter, “You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2) Could our lives be less hectic and our emotions be more balanced if we asked God every day to provide what we needed? The children of Israel were commanded to only gather manna (their bread) for the day. When they tried to store it up, it rotted.

Relying on God takes practice. Seeking Him daily through prayer and asking for what we need for the day means we must trust Him to provide. As we learn to trust in His daily provision, the anxieties of our own efforts are lessened.

Lord, give me this day what I need to serve and work. I trust you to do what you have said you will do and give me what I need today. Amen.

By Debbie West
Used by Permission

The Impact of Prayer

Devotionals — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 09:01:56 +0000

Believer’s prayers have tremendous impact, particularly on their own faith and life.

“…, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Prayer is the lifeblood of an intimate relationship with the Father. But believers often have questions about its power and effectiveness. Don’t hesitate to take your queries to the Lord, dig into Scripture for answers, and seek the counsel of a trusted spiritual mentor. Prayer is too important to neglect.

Will God’s plans fail if I don’t pray? God is not subservient to believers or dependent upon their prayers. The time we invest in speaking with Him involves us in the work that He is doing in our lives and in the world, but He will carry on without us. Laboring alongside the Lord is our privilege.

Does my prayer (or lack thereof) impact God’s work? I believe that Scripture indicates the answer to this question is both yes and no, depending upon the situation. There are times when God’s purpose is set. He is in control and has determined the best course. In the Old Testament, the Lord often prophesied what He would do and then brought those events to pass.

In other cases, “you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). There are some good things that He holds back until we put out prayerful hands to receive them. But because God is a loving Father, He also pours our blessings that we wouldn’t even think to request.

Believer’s prayers have tremendous impact, particularly on their own faith and life. Do you understand what an awesome privilege it is to kneel before the all-powerful Father and know that He listens and will respond? God loves to be good to His children and answer their prayers.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by permission

A Solitary Place

Devotionals — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 09:01:43 +0000

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35

Jesus needed to get away from all distractions to prepare for another day of serving others’ needs. Maybe Jesus had a lot on his mind that he needed to talk to the Father about. Whatever his reason, he had a limited time to do so. In fact, the following verses tell us that his disciples came looking for him, and said, “Everyone is looking for you!” (verse 37).

As I sit here in my chair by the window of my home, I am alone. But I can hear my son playing a video game downstairs, and since I have sat down, my phone has buzzed several times to let me know that I have messages. These things distract me as I try to listen to God’s Spirit. If I had a lot on my mind that I wanted to talk with God about, I would have to go somewhere more “solitary” than this!

A day of ministry lies before each one of us. It may not be healing or casting out demons or preaching. It may be wiping little noses, washing dishes, fixing meals, caring for an elderly parent, or serving people in some other way, but just as Jesus knew his purpose for being on this earth, we also have work to do. And just as Jesus did, it may be necessary to find a solitary place to pray before the busy day begins, and “the whole world” comes looking for us!

Father, thank you for sweet times of solitude and prayer that help us prepare for a day of serving others! Help us to bring you all of our worship and concerns, as we head into whatever you have called us to do today. Amen.

By Karen Woodard
Used by Permission

Don’t Limit God

Devotionals — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 08:03:17 +0000

“He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:5-6

I have believed in God for big and small things and I have seen them both come to pass. I know those acts are not a coincidence but guided by God’s mighty hand. However, I know he can do even greater things as long as I don’t limit him.

The Scripture says that Jesus could not do any miracles in his hometown except for laying hands on a few sick people to be healed. That’s all he could do? Jesus was powerful and still is. He wanted to do much more for these people, yet they could not believe. This shows how the extent of our faith can limit what he has for us.

Sometimes something might not be in the will of God for our lives and no amount of faith will do the trick. Yet, our responsibility is to keep believing in his ability and trust in his will. There might be an area of our lives he would like to touch and perform wonders. Believe he can and he will, even if it is in a different way than we expect. It doesn’t mean we believed in the wrong things as long we trusted the outcome, whatever it was, would be right in his eyes.

Is there an area of your life where you’ve been limiting God? We all have at times. If yes, open your eyes to the way he wants you to see your circumstances. Humble yourself and ask him to help you to believe in his timing and will.

Dear God, forgive me for any unbelief. Help me to believe in you so you can do mighty things in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

Intercessory Prayer

Devotionals — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 08:01:23 +0000

“Be alert and always keep on praying” Ephesians 6:18b.

What is intercessory prayer? Dietrich Bonhoeffer describes it as

“(a) way of loving others when God’s Spirit moves within us causing us to want to pray for others and giving us thoughts (ways) to do it.”

I had an opportunity to experience intercessory prayer in the life of one of my neighbors. Vera, my neighbor, was dying of cancer. I visited her often, bringing books and baking. I wanted to be an encouragement to her and the family. I also prayed for her salvation. There was nothing in their lifestyle that indicated they were Christians.

Because I knew she was dying, I was especially concerned about Vera’s eternal destiny. I asked my Bible study group to pray for her and also to pray that I would be able to share the gospel with her. There were times when I was determined to share the gospel with her, but then her husband would hover so close – I felt like he was afraid I would get “religious.” I prayed for an open door.

One night I awoke with great concern for Vera. I got on my knees beside the bed and interceded for her. The next morning I knew that I had to visit her again. Vera was in the hospital. This particular morning she was alone and very weak. It was difficult understanding what she was saying.

I asked her if I could read the Bible to her and she nodded “yes.” I read Psalm 23 and asked her lovingly if she was ready to meet God. Then she told me that the night before – when the Lord woke me up to intercede for her – the devil and God had been in the hospital room. She said that there was a fight for her soul and that Jesus had won.

When Vera told me that, I knew why the Lord had prompted me to pray for her. God cared about Vera enough to wake me up and to put an urgency in my heart to pray for her. He gave me the obedience to get out of bed and pray. That’s intercession – praying for others.

Are you alert and listening to God’s still small voice when He prompts you to pray for someone?

Father God, give us ears to hear Your promptings to intercede and the will to obey. Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

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