Patterns of Prayer

Be faithful in prayer. – Romans 12:12

Have you ever had a phrase stuck in your head?  Good speakers and writers can do that to us.  I learned from Lysa Terkeurst that as writers, we are to invent “sticky statements,” so our readers will remember what we’ve written.

Rick Warren, the pastor of Saddleback Church in California is a master at these “sticky statements.”  One of his recent statements has been rolling around in my brain for a while now.  

Pastor Rick was explaining why Daniel in the Bible continued to be promoted in leadership his whole life.  Rick gave snap shots from Daniel’s life that allowed me to visualize each scene as if looking through a photo album or flipping through pictures on my phone.  

There Daniel was, bravely refusing to bow down to the King’s statue, praying three times a day even though it had been declared unlawful, facing the lions and rejoicing while the angel shut their mouths and saved his life.  Wow, what an example of steadfast faith under challenging conditions.

Rick wrapped up Daniel’s life of success by saying, “The secret to standing strong is kneeling often.”  

How true that is!  The more often we go to God in prayer, the stronger we will stand up against opposition and the more we will see His powerful hand at work in our lives.  Going to God in prayer does not mean we have to be physically kneeling.  We can turn our hearts and minds toward Him while we’re driving our car, waiting in a grocery line, playing at the park, or talking with a friend.  Anywhere at any time, God will hear your prayers.

By stopping every day at 3pm to thank God, to invite Him into our messy lives, or call out for HELP, we are creating a powerful pattern of prayer.  God is listening and sees our daily decisions to remember Him in the midst of our busy days.

I love to ask people around me what they’re thankful for when my 3pm alarm goes off.  My kids expect it.  They see the patterns in my life more than anyone else.  This one I am proud of.  

Our daily patterns create ingrained pathways in our brains.  Gratitude is a great path to walk down often.  What patterns are you creating in your life?  Which ones are you most proud of?

The Power of Giving God Thanks Will Ignite Your Faith and Change Your World!

Thank You for Being a part of the 3 O’Clock Wake Up Movement