Breath Prayers

Many of us read 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray continually,” and wonder, how? Clearly you cannot kneel in the middle of your busy office and recite the Lord’s Prayer (found in Matthew 6:9-13). When you do not have a candle or a chapel, you can quietly speak a petition in a single breath numerous times throughout the day.

In The Purpose-Drive Life, Rick Warren instructed, “You choose a brief sentence or a simple phrase that can be repeated in one breath.”

Breath prayers are short, simple, and scriptural. Here are five examples of breath prayers:

“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” These words from 1 Samuel 3:9 quiet our hearts and keep us focused on God. These words are as essential for us as they were for Samuel as a boy.

“Lord, have mercy.” When a child or coworker disrespects us, Lord, have mercy is an intercession for us (Psalm 123:3). It can also be a cry to our Savior when we sin.

“Say the word.” Jesus praised the Roman centurion for his faith. The centurion came to Jesus asking he heal an ill servant. In Luke 7:7, he simply asked, “Say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

From Psalm 68:28, “Show your strength.” When a friend or family member is in dire need, intercede by reminding God of his power.

“When I am afraid, I will trust you.” This petition helps us to remain calm and step out in faith when fear tries to dominate us. In Psalm 56:3, David writes this supplication. This could be a great first breath prayer to teach our children/grandchildren or Sunday school class.

What are some breath prayers you have said? What verse of scripture are they from?

Pray for Midterm Elections

At a discount store, I overheard a woman talking on her cell phone, “I am definitely going to vote. But it seems like I need to do more.”

She is right. We also need to pray about our upcoming midterm election. Please join me in praying these seven requests.

     1.  Pray believers in America will return to God. Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,” 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2.     Pray all people realize God is sovereign over all. Daniel 2:21, “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.” Psalm 33:11, “But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.”

3.     Intercede for leaders who are unfairly attacked or falsely accused. Psalm 55:22, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Isaiah 54:17, “no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.”

4.     Pray Christians will vote and not submit to anxiety about possible defeat. Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

5.     Ask that we realize the fight is waged against the invisible not the visible. 2 Corinthians 10:4, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

6.     After the election, intercede that we are faithful to pray for those in authority. 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,  thanksgiving be made for all people--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

7.     No matter what the results, pray we will continue to trust in the Lord. Habakkuk 1:5, 3:2,"Look at the nations and watch--and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.”

See you at the voting booth.

Teach Us to Pray

Over the years many of us have used the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11:2-4 or Matthew 6:9-13 to learn or teach others how to pray.

However, I think Luke 11:1 contains some nuggets which many of us miss. The first sentence says, “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place.” The best way to teach prayer is by example. Jesus’ example served as the prerequisite for the disciple to ask his Lord to teach them to pray.

I can remember my frustration at a conference. During a workshop, a presenter did an excellent job of speaking about the many aspects of prayer. He finished, and time was up. Everyone filed out. I sat alone eager to try these precepts. Then another group began coming in and I had to leave for the next session.

Luke 11:1 relates, “one of his disciples said to him.” We do not know which disciple asked Jesus to instruct them. This disciple was unselfish and asked that Jesus teach them all. Since the disciple was unnamed, he displayed humility. When we ask in prayer, we admit we do not possess the power, or we lack the answers to solve our issues.

Did you notice that only one disciple asked for instruction on prayer? Do our churches suffer the same dilemma as the Twelve? We study about prayer and watch others pray. But how many actually pray and how many earnestly seek God to teach us to pray?

SWAT Team for Your School

Some teachers are already at school organizing their rooms and materials. Parents, grandparents, and concerned citizens need to be in preparation too. School shootings have become far too common. It is time to act with a prayer SWAT team. 

SWAT―Spiritual Warfare Attack Team―prayer teams create a hedge of protection through intercession. Prayer warriors use Ephesians 6:10-18 to protect our students and staff from the enemies’ harm.

Cindy Jacobs of the Reformation Prayer Network proposes a five-point plan.

Select a School. Adopt your child’s school to cover in prayer. If your children/grandchildren attend more than one school recruit help.

Drive around or prayer walk the school. Try to do so at least once a week. 

Recruit others to pray. Form a prayer group from your church or other Christian parents.

Secure the school. Ask others to join you who know how to engage through prayer the powers and principalities of darkness. Chart and pray over every classroom, office, storage area, restroom, gym, locker room, and auditorium. Include every inch of the building(s), lawn, fields, playgrounds, and parking. Turn the spiritual climate in your school to light and love.

Volunteer at your selected school. As you serve, keep you eyes and ears open to people or situations that need prayer. 

Put your prayer for your school in the comment section.

Summer Prayers

For many of us, the summer is a slower pace and a time to reflect on our relationship with God. We take vacations to places with scenic views and fun activities. So, I created ten fun summer prayers.

As I lay on the beach, I praise You for Your countless thoughts. "How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! "Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand--when I awake, I am still with you." Psalm 139:17-18

At the top of a ride at the county fair, I reach to meet with You. "I call to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain.” Psalm 3:4

Like the electric lights in fireflies, cause me to ponder the mysteries of Your creation. "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?” Job 11:7

Like the birds who sing to me, Lord, speak to me. "So Eli told Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’ So Samuel went and lay down in his place.” 1 Samuel 3:9

As I fill my net with the fish I catch, fill me with Your Spirit. “Be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:18

As I splash in the pool, I ask You refresh me. "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25

When the kids at the lemonade stand fill my cup, please fill my spiritual cup with joy. "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11

When I hear Your voice in the thunderstorm, help me not to fear. "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” Psalm 46:10

Like the crack of a bat in a ball game, I pray I will be alert to the enemy’s tactics. "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

In your bounty, in fields and gardens, I praise You for Your goodness. " I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13

What summer activity brings a prayer to your mind?

What Could Prayer Do for Your Neighborhood?

David Fitch in his book, Seven Practices for the Church on Mission, wrote about eight people who felt called to pray for the Detroit Boulevard neighborhood in Sacramento. In 2010, it reigned as one of the most crime-ridden areas in Sacramento. Nearly every home was a place of peril.

The group of eight walked the streets and interceded for the presence of God to overcome forces of evil and harm, addiction, and strongholds of the enemy. Eventually the prayer warriors physically moved into the neighborhood and started Detroit Life Church. During 2013, the Sacramento Bee reported there were no murders, thefts, or sex crimes and only one assault in Detroit Boulevard.

What if you were to enlist a few friends to prayer walk the streets in your subdivision or neighborhood? Besides getting some exercise, maybe the number of divorces would drop. Rather than middle-schoolers vandalizing property, maybe a coach would step forward and start evening volleyball or basketball. What could prayer do for your neighborhood?

Pray for America - Unity

Have you noticed the excitement about praying for America? I cannot remember a time when there have been so many tweets, Facebook posts, blogs, magazine articles, and books about praying for America. This Thursday, May 3 will be the National Day of Prayer NDP. 

Thousands will be in Washington, D.C. interceding for our country. The main service will be in Statuary Hall in our nation’s capital. You can watch the event on Daystar or God TV at 7:30 EST or livestream with this: Embed Code.

Earlier this week, I remember standing in my hallway. I contemplated what I should do next. I was divided. Our families are split. There is divisiveness in our churches. Deadlock rules our government. We do not experience Psalm 133:1, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” 

Please join me and many others praying in our homes for unity this Thursday. Here is a sample National Prayer. Lord, help us dwell together in unity.