Our prayers make a difference in our lives and the lives of others around us.
Too often I hear people say something like … “The least I can do is pray.”
Praying is the greatest thing any believer can do for another person and their communities, not the least they can do.
In the wake of the recent tragedies in El Paso and Dayton, I pray that the body of believers in Christ come together and commit to praying more fervently.
I urge us to pray day and night. I know many of us work full-time jobs, have errands to run, have kids to tend to, and so much life happening around us that we don’t think about praying.
May I share a way to “pray continuously” with you?
While out running errands, I parked at my local Walmart. Upon closing the door my vehicle, I paused as I looked toward the store with people entering and exiting. I thought about those lives going in and out of the store. I suddenly felt a smidgen of fear fall upon me. Is it okay for me to go inside? Will something horrible happen here like it did in El Paso?
Immediately I recognized the strategy of the enemy and cast down those thoughts that did not line up with the Word of God. Second Corinthians 10:5 says, “We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ” (NLT).
So after rejecting those fearful thoughts, I prayed for the protection of myself and those entering and exiting the store. This prayer time lasted only the time it took me to walk from the parking lot to the door. Then I entered the store with peace, and once inside, I took care of my shopping business and left without incident, not thinking of it again.
So one way we can pray continuously, is to pray where ever we are while doing whatever it is we are doing.
Imagine how much we would be able to cover our communities in prayer if each believer prayed for themselves, their loved ones, and their communities where ever they are.
We can pray at the following times …
- Driving to and from work
- Walking into the workplace
- Dropping the kids off at school or daycare
- Walking into the stores, malls, and other shopping centers
- While walking around the park
- While walking the dog
- While waiting for an appointment
We can pray where ever we are and it only takes moments.
We may never know what tragedies are averted when we pray!
Last week a man was arrested in Lubbock, Texas, based on a report of a threat of a mass shooting in our community. Law enforcement acted upon the report and verified it by seizing the weapons in a local hotel. (Click here to read this news.)
I can only imagine that the tragedy was averted because someone or some people were praying.
Continue to pray for the victims and their families in the El Paso and Dayton tragedies. Pray for all the first responders. But also remember to pray for the family members of the shooters and the surviving suspect, Patrick Crusius.
Prayers make a difference! Remember to pray Psalm 91 over yourself, your family, your neighborhood, your city, your schools, and your workplaces.
Psalm 91 Prayer:
Father, I praise You and thank you that I will dwell in the secret place of the Most High and remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty, whose power no foe can withstand. I declare that You are my Refuge, my Fortress, my God. I will lean on and confidently trust in You, because You will deliver me from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. You will cover me with Your feathers, where I will trust and find refuge under Your wings. Your truth and Your faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. I will not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the evil plots and slanders of the wicked. I will not fear the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand, but none of these curses will come near me. I will only be a spectator in the secret place of the Most High as I witness the reward of the wicked. Because I have made You my refuge and dwelling place, no evil will befall me, nor any plague or calamity come near my dwelling place. For You give Your angels charge over me, to accompany, defend, and preserve me in all my ways of obedience and service. Your angels will bear me up in their hands, so I won’t dash my foot against a stone. I will tread upon and trample underfoot the young lion, the adder, and the serpent. Because I have set my love upon You, You will deliver me. You will set me on high, because I know and understand Your name. I have a personal knowledge of Your mercy, love, and kindness. I trust and rely on You, knowing You will never, ever forsake me. I will call upon You, and You will answer me. You are with me in trouble. You will deliver me and honor me, and with long life will You satisfy me and show me Your salvation. In Jesus name, Amen.
