What a blessing yesterday was to begin a new week. We were exhorted from Psalm 66 and celebrated Communion together. Our Deacons served the congregation the elements while Pastor Zad reminded us to count our blessings in view of our Great God. We truly rejoice in our Savior and the awesome deeds God has done to reconcile a people to himself.
It’s Monday – many of us are starting our weekly journeys with school, work, tending to things of our homes, taking care of our families, raising kids (you can fill in the missing blanks). Before you begin the checklist that Monday so often calls for, start with God. A prayerful Monday is not just a checklist item – it’s what sets the trajectory for the rest of week in fellowship with God. Prayer throughout church history has been described as the heartbeat, the life and the pulse of the church. If that be true, may we not flatline on this Monday morning.
“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” — Luke 18:1
Through Jesus, believers have the privilege to be propelled through the week by fellowship with God in prayer. Just read the words Joseph Scriven penned down in the 1855 Hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
“What a friend we have in Jesus all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!”
The question is, how do we begin? AW Tozer probably summed it up in the best way.
“The key to prayer is simply praying.”
First, begin in adoration and acknowledgment of who God is. Thank Him for His blessings as we were reminded yesterday! Seeing God rightly will create hearts in us ready for worship, fellowship and communion with Him.
“Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.” — Psalm 145:3
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Second, confess your sin to the Lord. A repentant heart and mind will be open to His sanctifying Word and direction from His Spirit.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9
Next, pray to guard your heart. We must see that our hearts must be guarded and centrally dependent on the Lord.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” — Proverbs 4:23
Finally, pray for a mind and heart that is oriented upward, inward, and outward.
• Upward: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” — Colossians 3:2
• Inward: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” — Psalm 139:23
• Outward: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” — Matthew 5:1
Prayer orients our hearts upward to God, inward for cleansing of all unrighteousness, and outward for the ministry of reconciliation.
Propelled Forward by Prayer
Prayer isn’t just how we begin Monday, it is what carries us through each step of the way.
“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” — Isaiah 40:31
When we pray, we submit and recognize our complete need and dependence on God. Today and every day – may each meeting, every conversation and all our tasks be prayer fueled acts of worship.