Pray this very moment (text)

 

To Do List #2

Pray This Very Moment!

Have you ever had a friend or acquaintance...or family member in the midst of a conversation bring up a problem at home, at work...maybe a sick or wayward child.  Maybe even a difficulty of their own?  Something that needs a little help from our Lord an Savior and believing in the power of prayer you say..."I'll pray for you".

And then break that promise.

I didn't do it on purpose and it wasn't a lie.  So, why didn't I pray? 

sidetracked? a little selfish? or plain ole forgot!

Are you nodding your head in agreement because you do the same thing? Let's consider a few things we can do to combat these happens.  Got a piece of paper handy? Smartphone? Spend time at the end of the day trying to recall all your personal interactions form the day? Everything...I waved at my neighbor, played with my toddler, talked to mom on the phone, text a friend, yelled at a ref, cursed the slow driver in the hammer lane, walked quickly past the panhandler avoiding eye contact.  Some if not all those people need prayers.  

Pray this very moment!

Every strategy is valid, but why wait? Unless the circumstance makes it hazardous or just completely undoable...this very moment is the best strategy and avoids the OOPS.  

Having notes scribble on a piece of paper or just a couple of words stored on your phone still requires a nightly check to review requests. This brings your mind and memory back into play and I don't know about you, but for me that leads to a bunch of OOPS.

In one sense, all you have to do at the end of the day is say, "Heavenly Father, everyone I met today - please draw each one of them close to you. Amen.  He knows the exact needs of each and every one of them and will honor your prayers. BUT...there's something that makes our hearts warm about a specific, thoughtful request to an all-powerful, all knowing God. He wants us to dig deep into or own heart and be aware of the needs of others. Prayers need to be grounded in devotion, humility and sincerity.

You can still review your as you slip into bed for the night, but praying in the moment invites God's intervention sooner. 

That neighbor you waved at this morning, say a little pray for him as ya pass.

As you kiss your spouse, pray for your marriage.

As you curse that slow driver in the hammer lane, pray for them...and yourself.

Pray for your children during every interaction with them.

When your friend shares of a struggle or a mess they made in their life...right then and right there say. "Can I Pray For You?" 

They'll probably "sure, I guess so" and then you take it directly to God in that very moment. You'll not what to say. You'll know who to say it for and your friend will have joined you in that prayer as well.

Father, thank you that you have revealed Your love to us today. 

We invite You to send us out from here in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Fan into flame the gifts that you have given us, Come reveal Your grace and truth to us each day. 

For Yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, Forever and ever.

 Amen.