Are you going through the motions?

Maybe you’re praying consistently, asking God to help you with this or that, but often wondering if it’s making a difference.

I hear it often from other Christians, “I asked God for something, and He didn’t answer.”

Maybe it’s because we’re asking for things we want, like we talked about last time in Personal Needs and God’s Will. Or maybe we’re just bored, going through the motions like a checklist at the grocery store. Not really feeling it, just asking anyway because it’s what we’re supposed to do. But that’s the wrong motivation.

So here’s a hard truth: Prayer isn’t about getting things we want from God; it’s about getting God Himself.

In this episode, we

* Acknowledge a reality that most of our prayer time is consumed by “circumstances and situations.”

* Introduce a counter-Church truth: While earthly needs are real, they are secondary to spiritual realities.

* See what Paul actually prayed for in his letters

* Define what God is really seeking for His people.

We’ll also cover

* Devotional prayer as the engine of growing up

* The Content of our prayer: How do we pray for maturity?

* Specific requests from Scripture

* The Purpose: Why do we do this?

Key Quote

It leads to the new birth, strengthens faith, and promotes contentment that rises above circumstances.

— J.C. Ryle

* The result and transformation

* Characteristics of maturity

Mature believers reflect, depend on, and live for Christ in a way that “speaks to the world.”

Sharing does two things: It help us grow to a new audience, and it helps the person to whom you share it with.

One Final Thought:

The people of God need these promises answered more than they need prayers for health, job, or comfort. These are eternally more important. I suggest at least half our prayer time should be spent on this alone.

Prayer Resource:

* 7 Devotional Prayers for Personal Growth

Question:What is one "earthly circumstance" you’ve been praying for that might be keeping you from praying for the spiritual maturity you actually need? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Scan through any prayer request chat board and you’ll find that the bulk of prayers are for personal needs — our temporal needs, right here, right now.

Our personal prayer times are also like this.

I don’t have any scientific data, just my own experience and observation — but a safe estimate is over half our prayers are for these temporal needs: circumstances we want relief from, or a specific outcome we desire. Applying the eighty-twenty rule, it might be as much as eighty percent of our prayers go toward health, work, blessing and relief, healing, safety in traveling, or making a right decision — the right house, the right school, the winning scholarship.

And we should pray about these things, because doing so involves the Lord in the circumstance. But where is our focus? Are we praying according to His will — which is good, pleasing, and perfect — asking Him for the outcome He most desires for our good and His glory? Or are we simply asking for what we want?

How do we define God’s answer to prayer? A previous article on this topic points out that it is according to His will, to His word, and in His timing, not necessarily our own. Usually it’s beyond our comprehension. But very often, we are the ones telling God what it is we want Him to do for us, as though He were a giant vending machine in the sky. We must remember that He answers us according to His will.

Please take a moment right now to send this to a friend and help them with praying.

It is very necessary for us to pray for temporal needs, like when we are having troubles in this life, as talked about in Prayer and Trouble. However, we should do so in the right way — and it should not occupy significantly more time than praying for the other focuses of prayer we see in Scripture: devotional prayer, intercession, and prayer for our enemies.

We also need to recognize the distinction between a prayer need and a prayer want. Needs are those things we feel are physical necessities — health issues, job loss, legal or academic trouble for children, marriage problems, or facing difficult decisions. Wants go beyond necessities and survival — I want this, I want that…

We tell the Lord the desires of our heart, yes. But as we draw near Him, we learn it’s not about our desires. The more we pray according to the Word and His will, the more we discover the desires of our heart are Him. He is the desire of our heart.

Try this: evaluate how much time in your prayer closet is devoted to praying for what you want versus what the Lord wants. Make a short list of your prayer themes. Are you focused on your needs, your wants, your outcomes — most of the time, or all of the time? What else might you be focused on? Be honest with yourself. I was. Even after all these years of intercessory praying, I’m shocked at how much time is spent praying for my own personal issues, more than the other prayer focuses I see in Scripture. And share your observations.

That’s it for this time. Next time in this series, we’ll discuss other focuses for prayer — devotional praying for our own spiritual maturity, intercession for the needs and spiritual needs of those around us, and praying even for those who are opposed to us.

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Praying for each other is a blessing. During our devotional times, it is natural to focus primarily on ourselves. In fact, we should focus even more on our own spiritual needs (we’ll discuss that in another newsletter).

For now, our attention is on praying for others: intercession. We do this even without a specific request. Your close associations are likely already on your list, but expand it. Include those you don’t interact with regularly—even those you may not like.

Often, when others know you pray, they ask you to pray for them. And so we should. Ephesians 6:18 instructs us to petition for all the saints—a command modeled by our Lord and by Paul.

In this way, we bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). It is an act of love to pray for someone and bring their cares to Jesus. We go before the throne of grace to ask for grace, mercy, healing, or help for someone else. This is intercession: like a bridge, we go over, between a person’s circumstance and the Lord, to ask on their behalf.

As members of the Body of Christ, pray for your fellow members. Scripture is full of examples:

* Abraham prayed for Ishmael.

* Moses prayed for Miriam’s healing after her leprosy.

* Samuel prayed for Saul.

* David prayed for deliverance from the plague.

* Solomon prayed for wisdom to govern the people.

* Job interceded for his children.

* The Psalms are full of such prayers.

The New Testament offers countless examples through the Gospels, Acts, and Epistles. Numerous stories of intercession run through the entire Bible.

What an awesome privilege, and responsibility, to pray for one another!

You likely have a friend, neighbor, coworker, or family member going through a tough time. Maybe they are sick, unemployed, or struggling in a relationship. If they are unsaved, pray for their salvation.

Take a second right now, and pray for one person you know. Now, share this article with them or with one other person who prays.

Zero in on that one person.

* Pray that they would know the Lord.

* Pray that they would grow in grace, blessing, peace, and love.

* Pray for the one with whom you are at odds (Matthew 5:44).

“No man can do me a truer kindness in this world than to pray for me.”— Charles H. Spurgeon

Perhaps you’ll pray with them—before or after church, at their home, office, or in the hospital. But likely, if they haven’t asked, you’ll be praying for them in your own private time. Many people we pray for may never know we did so.

Encourage your church to schedule a recurring time each week or month for the fellowship to meet specifically for prayer. Don’t wait for a specific request; just pray for those you know are in need.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father (Ephesians 3:14, ESV).

Paul went to the Father in prayer for the church at Ephesus, asking that God would:

* Strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.

* Dwell in your hearts through faith.

* Root and ground you in love.

* Give you the strength to comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of Christ’s love.

* Fill you with all the fullness of God.

That is Paul interceding. And that is exactly what we are called to also do.

Amazing that Epaphras Prays has subscribers from 45 states! But that means there are 5 states needing someone praying. If you are in Arkansas, Hawaii, North Dakota, Vermont, or Wisconsin, consider becoming a Subscriber and be an intercessor in your state.

Our Savior knows we fret constantly. That’s why He tells us not to worry about food or clothing, for our heavenly Father knows we need these things. Look at how He supplies the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. See Matthew 6, starting at verse 25.

Yet we remain anxious, even though Jesus commands us to stop worrying about life. In Philippians 4:6, we’re told to be anxious for nothing. What does “nothing” mean? It means no thing.

How do we do this?

The solution to fret and worry? Prayer. “In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Whenever a burden arises, ease it through prayer, seeking help and direction. This includes gratitude for His provision. We make our needs and desires known to Him, an expression of dependence. And the result? The peace of God (v. 7) in our hearts—the very opposite of anxiety (Matthew Henry Commentary).

An old hymn expresses this beautifully:

“Oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.”

Peter echos the words of Jesus: do not be anxious or troubled by the stuff of life. In faith and confidence, cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). When you know Him as your Source, Supplier, Provider, and Protector, you can seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, knowing all these things shall be yours as needed.

Jesus told Martha, who was busy serving, that she was worried and troubled about many things. Meanwhile, her sister Mary sat at Jesus’ feet—the one thing that was needed (Luke 10:41-42). Serving is a gift listed in Romans 12, but one thing remains essential: in cares or in activity, stay near, look to, and wait upon our Lord.

Another old hymn sings: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, and the things of the earth grow strangely dim.”

Many times we are worried for ourselves. Sometimes we’re fretting for someone else. Would you share this with them? It might help them from being axious.

Turn your cares into prayers.

Let it be with thanksgiving, an expression of gratitude. Jesus healed ten lepers, but only one returned to thank Him. Appreciation is an expression of humility, which we experience when we pray with thanksgiving.

And what do we get? We experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

“He who makes his needs known to God gains for immediate answer ‘the peace of God which passeth understanding,’ and can wait God’s time for the rest.”— Alexander MacLaren

Remember He is in charge over all.

God is sovereign and in control. Paul, writing Ephesians, says… according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will. (Ephesians 1:11) The Lord has a plan, and is actively involved in all of the days and all the lives of each one of His dear children. In everything, He is at work!

This assures us that all He is doing is for our good and for His glory.

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In a parable in Luke 18, a widow’s persistent petitions to an unjust judge — who was worn out by her constant visits — models daily, consistent prayer for believers in Christ.

Jesus teaches us through this widow and judge about regular, continuous, day-and-night prayer, emphasizing the importance of steadfast prayer in the face of spiritual opposition.

We also may pray for relief from an adversary, with constancy and perseverance in prayers for spiritual mercies, not just temporal needs. As Mathew Henry writes, “When we are praying for strength against our spiritual enemies (our lusts and corruptions, which are our worst enemies) we must continue instant in prayer, must pray and not faint, for we shall not seek God's face in vain.”

Our “enemy” or “adversary” is primarily the world, the devil, and the flesh.

Bible teacher Andrew MacLaren writes: “‘In the world ye shall have tribulation,’ and the truer His servants are to Him, and the more their hearts are with Christ in God, the more they will feel out of touch with the world, and the more it will instinctively be their ‘adversary.’”

Whoa! That puts our prayers in a seemingly altogether different plane, from one of preference and wants, to one of spiritual wholeness and holiness. And not just for ourselves, but all the people of God, and Henry writes, “So we must likewise in our prayers for the deliverance of the people of God out of the hands of their persecutors and oppressors.”

Prayer should be continuous and steadfast, not just about personal wants but about spiritual transformation. Persistent prayer is the means to maintain spiritual strength against these opposing forces.

And doing this day and night is to do with earnestness and steadfastness, “for our importunity is pleasing to God; the prayer of the upright is his delight, and therefore, we may hope, shall avail much, if it be an effectual fervent prayer.” (Henry)

Like a goalie standing ready, watching the ball and defending the net, so we watch and pray night and day, from the Word of God, which is His revealed will for His people. This is our defense. The promises and prayers found throughout the Scriptures are our prayer book and guide. As the widow who asked the same thing at each encounter with the judge, we pray from the whole of Scripture, and do so regularly, consistently, and steadfastly.

These prayers cannot be worn out, or be overused, and will not fail. Our Lord has been answering them from the beginning and will continue to answer them. How? Speedily! Why? Because He promises to, says Jesus, I tell you that He will avenge them speedily.

Therefore, we pray them and keep on praying them, until He answers or until He comes again. Jesus said that we always ought to pray and not lose heart because God is not reluctant to answer and we cannot wear Him out as the judge was. Our heavenly Father loves it when we pray for help. Consistent, persevering prayer transforms our character to reflect His, and we develop a heart that cares about what God cares about through persistent praying.

Too many prayers are like boy’s runaway knocks, given, and then the giver is away before the door can be opened. — Spurgeon

Our prayer literally builds the character of God Himself into our lives.

And He loves to answer! So why does He often delay?

See this for understanding delays in answered prayer:

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In this world you will have trouble, says Jesus. A Psalm of the sons of Korah claims “my life is full of troubles.” And David writes, “I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him.”

He is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble, “LORD, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them.

Trouble and prayer are closely related. It often drives us to God in prayer, and our prayers are frequently the voice of those in trouble. Thus they go hand-in-hand.

There is great value in prayer in the time of trouble. Prayer often delivers out of trouble, and still more often gives strength to bear trouble, ministers comfort in trouble, and begets patience in the midst of trouble. Wise is he in the day of trouble who knows his true source of strength and who fails not to pray. So writes E. M. Bounds.

It seems trouble and prayer go together, one accompanies the other like brat and bun. For we have trouble while on earth. Each day is one of trouble, and not just for some, but for all--rich and poor alike, great or small, old or young—saved by Christ or not.

We usually try to keep any hard, difficult or painful experiences a bay, don’t we? None of us rightly like trouble or seek it out. But it comes upon us all. An entirely false view of life is one that expects nothing but sunshine and looks only for ease, pleasure and flowers, seeking only happiness. It is these who are sadly disappointed and surprised when trouble breaks into their lives. They are the ones who do not know God, or who know nothing of His disciplinary dealings with His people--and who are most likely prayer-less.

What Good is Trouble?

It is used by God for our good. Bounds writes that trouble is God’s servant, doing His will unless He is defeated in the execution of that will. Trouble is under the control of Almighty God, and is one of His most efficient agents in fulfilling His purposes and in perfecting His saints.

God’s hand is in every trouble which breaks into the lives of men. Not that He directly and arbitrarily orders every unpleasant experience of life. Not that He is personally responsible for every painful and afflicting thing which comes into the lives of His people. But no trouble is ever turned loose in this world and comes into the life of saint or sinner, but comes with Divine permission, and is allowed to exist and do its painful work with God’s hand in it or on it, carrying out His gracious designs of redemption.

Our trouble is to discipline us, not a punishment to us, that will take place in the next world. According to Bounds, trouble belongs to the disciplinary part of the moral government of God. It is a season of trial. Trouble is not being punished or penalized by God. It belongs to what the Scriptures call chastening (which means loving corrective instruction). God’s dealings with people in this world are of the nature of discipline. They are corrective processes in His plans concerning His children.

It is because of this that prayer comes in when trouble arises. Prayer belongs to the discipline of life.

What is Trouble?

Trouble, says Bounds, covers all the painful, sorrowing, and grievous events of life... So that all evil days in life might well be classed under the head of the ‘time of trouble.’ Such days of trouble happen to us all, and we need to know that trouble—no matter from what source it comes—becomes in God’s hand His own agent to accomplish His gracious work concerning those who submit patiently to Him, who recognize Him in prayer, and who work together with God.

Trouble does not come by chance or coincidence or by accident. I often make my own trouble, whether by fears or failures, sins or shortcomings, or just poor decisions. But the Lord allows these, and uses these to teach, guide, train me.

Trouble naturally belongs to God’s moral government, and is one of His invaluable agents in governing the world. (Bounds)

The Relationship of Trouble to Prayer

Knowing all this is so we rightly appreciate the relationship of prayer to trouble. In the time of trouble, where does prayer come in?

Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalm 50:15)

Prayer is the most appropriate thing for a soul to do in the time of trouble. In fact, it is the most important thing!

Here’s why: Prayer recognizes God in the day of trouble. It is the Lord; let him do what seems him good (1 Samuel 3:18). Prayer sees God’s hand in trouble, and prays about it. Nothing truly shows us our helplessness more than when trouble comes. It brings the strong man low, like a mirror, it reveals our weakness, and it brings a sense of helplessness. Blessed are those who know how to turn to God in the time of trouble.

Who do you know who is in trouble right now? Sending this to them may help them pray.

If trouble is of the Lord, then the most natural thing to do is to carry the trouble to the Lord, seeking grace, patience, and submission. It is perfect time to as in the trouble: Lord, what will you have me to do? cried Saul (Acts 9:6). How natural and reasonable for the soul—oppressed, broken, and bruised, to bow low at the footstool of mercy and seek the face of God? Where could a soul in trouble more likely find solace than in the closet?

Results of Praying in Trouble

Prayer brings comfort, help, hope, and blessings. While not removing the trouble, enables us to bear up under it better and to submit to the will of God. Prayer opens the eyes to see God’s hand in trouble. Prayer does not interpret God’s providence, but it does justify them and recognize God in them.

Prayer enables us to see wise ends in trouble. Prayer in trouble drives us away from unbelief, saves us from doubt, and delivers from all vain and foolish questionings because of our painful experiences. Let us not lose sight of the tribute paid to Job when all his troubles came to the culminating point: In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Prayer in trouble tends to bring the spirit into perfect subjection to the will of God, to cause our will to be conformed to God’s will, and saves from all murmurings over our lot, and delivers from everything like a rebellious heart or a spirit critical of the Lord.

* Prayer sanctifies trouble to our highest good.

* Prayer prepares the heart that it softens under the disciplining hand of God.

* Prayer places us where God can bring us the greatest good, spiritual and eternal.

* Prayer allows God to freely work with us and in us in the day of trouble.

* Prayer removes everything in the way of trouble, bringing to us the sweetest, the highest and greatest good.

* Prayer permits God’s servant, trouble, to accomplish its mission in us, with us and for us.

We have troubles of all kinds, and so how many prayers ought to be offered?

Bounds concludes: How many are the things which are the subject of prayer! It has to do with everything which concerns us, with everybody with whom we have to do, and has to do with all times. But especially does prayer have to do with trouble. This poor man cried and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. (Psalm 34:6)

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O the blessedness, the help, the comfort of prayer in the day of trouble! And how marvelous the promises of God to us in the time of trouble!

We complicate things we enjoy. The longer we do a thing, the more sophisticated we get with it — and somewhere along the way, we can lose the fundamentals that got us started.

Take fishing. I love it, but it’s not just a rod, a reel, and a hook. Oh, no. You can chase all the sophistication you want — different reels, lines, lures, or flies for different fish and different waters. Mastering the gear, the techniques, and it can be easy to lose sight of basics.

My wife knits, and the same thing happens with her. The longer she knits, the more she discovers new techniques, patterns, or tools. But every so often, she likes to come back to basics. Musicians know this: the better they master fundamentals — the scales of their instrument — means getting better at everything built on top of them.

I think we do the same thing with our Bible study. We go deeper (and that’s good) but we can lose sight of foundations along the way. And when we share what we’ve learned with people who don’t have that same depth, they often can’t easily follow us. It’s good to come back to fundamentals and remember where we begin.

A basic way to help Epaphras Prays is by sharing this article. You’d also be helping whoever you send it to!

Prayer works this way. We can make it more complicated that it needs to be. At its core, we communicate with God the Father, who is approachable and wants us to come to Him. He invites us to call upon Him — because He is not some distant, cold-hearted, angry figure like the wizard in Oz. No. No. Our Heavenly Father is good and glad-hearted, and He longs to hear from His children when they come to Him in prayer. He tells us, plainly, to call upon Him.

Psalm 50:15 says it directly: “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” Psalm 91:15 promises the same: “When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” And Psalm 145:18: “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” This is a call we make, a crying out to Him, because He invites us to do it.

The original Biblical word means: to call out to; cry out; invite. Think of it like dialing a phone — reaching out to a Father who actually picks up, hears, and responds.

We see this cry throughout Scripture, in people who called out to God in moments of need. Take Bartimaeus, the blind man along the road to Jericho. As Jesus passed by, he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He would not be silenced, because he knew that if anyone could help him, it was Jesus. He called, and Jesus stopped and answered him.

Consider Hagar, alone in the wilderness in Genesis 21, weeping over her dying son. Scripture tells us that God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of the Lord called to her from heaven. She cried out in her desperation, and He heard.

Or Stephen, in Acts 7, being stoned to death for his faith. In his final moments, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Even facing death, his instinct was to call upon the Lord.

Bartimaeus, Hagar, Stephen — each called out in their moment of deepest need, and in each case, God heard and answered.

The principle holds throughout Scripture. In the Psalms, we call and He answers. Bartimaeus called, and Jesus stopped for him. Hagar called, and God heard her. Stephen called, and Christ received him. So we call. We cry out aloud. We make our voice heard before the throne of grace — as a whisper, as a groan, as a shout, as a lament. However we bring it, we call to our Heavenly Father, and He hears us.

Remember: At its most basic, we call on God because He invites us to. The core of prayer is making a call to God — from our heart, through our lips, to His ear.

Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Jeremiah 33:3

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In this special edition, we pause to celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation. We explore the unique history of God’s divine creation in America, from the pioneers and settlers who crossed “sea to shining sea” to the inventions that shaped the world.

While acknowledging the rebellions and immature mistakes of our past—likened to the prodigal son returning to the Father’s house—we affirm that 250 years is worth celebrating.

This episode is a call to intercession, asking for God’s mercy, grace, and repentance as we seek His intervening hand. As nations from around the globe gather here for the World Cup, we are reminded that all eyes are on us. We are called to be a light to the world, declaring our dependence on Him.

Includes:

Founding Truths: Reflecting on the representative republic, the declaration that all are created equal, and the foundational belief in Biblical truth and freedom of religion.

The Prodigal Nation: A look at our history through the lens of the prodigal son story—leaving home, falling into poverty and sin, and the Father’s patient drawing us back.

Job 12:22: “He makes nations great, and they fall.”

A Call to Return: Returning to the hymns and principles of our heritage, not through political laws, but through a spiritual awakening to save those trapped in darkness.

Global Watch: Acknowledging that all nations are watching the US, not just for our birthday, but for our witness to love the Lord.

Declaration of Dependence: An invitation to intercede for God’s intervention, admitting our dependence on Him.

Prayers

Prayer for the Nation

Notes & Resources

Collection of Articles: A table of contents featuring previous posts on praying for the nation

Transcript: Available for download on the website.

Historic Prayers:

The prayers of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

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Join us in prayer as we declare our need for God’s guidance and blessings, asking Him to make us a nation that honors Him once again.

Jesus teaches us that God, like a loving father, will give good gifts to those who ask with childlike faith

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Matthew 7:9-11

Childlike Faith and Prayer in Biblical Perspective

This Lesson presents a theological position on childlike faith and prayer, drawn from Andrew Murray’s teachings on the relationship between living as children of God and receiving answered prayers from our Heavenly Father.

Key Details:

* The passage quotes Matthew 7:9-11 about Jesus teaching that God, like a loving father, will give good gifts to those who ask with childlike faith

* Andrew Murray explains that prayer is effective only when the child lives in loving, obedient relationship with God

* The lesson connects childlike faith to the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus describes characteristics of children of God: meek, righteous, forgiving, and obedient

* Murray emphasizes that God doesn’t require perfection but wholehearted surrender to live as a child with Him

* The text concludes with the prayer request “Abba, Father” as the key to effective prayer

3 Main Quotes:

“When we ask with child-like faith, our Father answers with good gifts”

“The power of the promise, Ask, and it shall be given you, lies in the loving relationship between us as children and the Father in heaven”

“The Lord does not demand of us a perfect fulfillment of the law; no, but only the childlike and whole-hearted surrender to live as a child with Him in obedience and truth”

4 Theological Principles:

* Effective prayer requires living in the loving relationship with God as children

* Childlike faith is demonstrated through obedience to God’s commands

* The “Abba, Father” prayer is presented as the foundation for all effective prayer

* God’s Fatherhood is characterized by infinite love and compassion

Why It Matters:

This passage teaches that prayer is not about being perfect before praying, but about surrendering our whole hearts to live in God’s love and truth, trusting that He will answer our petitions with the same tender care He shows to His children.

The podcast explores this and more in three questions as we study Andrew Murray’s teaching, learning about childlike praying .

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With Christ in the School of Prayer, Twenty-third Lesson, by Andrew Murray

Do you sing hymns in church? Many grew up this way and still do.

But have you thought about reading these hymns as a prayer? We sing them on a Sunday morning in service, not always giving thought to the meaning behind the words. So many are Scripture based and sung to the Lord.

One of my favorites is Have Thine Own Way. If you’re familiar with it, or even if you’ve never sung this hymn before, let’s read the lyrics as a prayer.

1 Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!

For more on Hymn Prayers, see

Don’t read/pray this alone. Send it to one other intercessor, or just someone who needs some encouraging words to pray.

A Prayer Insight … from E. M. Bounds

“Those who know God the best are the richest and most powerful in prayer. Little acquaintance with God, and strangeness and coldness to Him, make prayer a rare and feeble thing.”

Praying Together for the Church family, from daily Notes: