Prayer Challenge

(My own photo. Dave and me on Pikes Peak.)

I remember the phrase, the family that prays together, stays together. Yeah, it’s a cliché, but for those families that truly pray together I believe there’s a bond that unites their hearts in a special way, no matter what; even when disagreements and family arguments make their way into our lives.

I grew up in a Catholic family that prayed together almost every single night until us kids got to our teen years. My mom had us get on our knees and recite memorized prayers before a crucifix or a Catholic statue before bed. Some nights it was hard not to giggle, exchanging glances and wobbling on our knees.

Now that I have a personal relationship with Jesus Himself, it’s easier to commit to prayer time because I’m spending that time talking with my very best friend. And talking is what I do the most. I’m sure He’s pleased with the fact that I’m learning to listen, too.

Is it now “nerdy” or “geeky” to pray? Is it too old-fashioned? Or is it merely the enemy’s plan to rob us of our strength, because united in prayer we’re a strong force to reckon with?

Some of my biggest blessings come through my husband laying his hand on my head every morning and praying over me before he goes to work. Not a complaint passes through my lips without him praying over whatever has me upset. I’m honored to be his wife, He loves me with a never-ending love; unconditionally. His love is without limitations.

We draw incredible strength from praying, out loud, together. It’s empowering and draws us even closer, creating more intimacy between us.

A guest speaker at our church, Pastor Deo from Uganda said, “Prayerlessness means you believe you can do everything in your own strength, without help from God. Depend on God!”

Pastor Deo went on to exhort, “Personal prayer alters have been destroyed, family prayer alters have been broken down and church prayer alters are formal and weak.”

Does this describe your prayer life?

I’d like to toss out a challenge.

Couples: etch out a few minutes each morning or evening to pray, out loud, together. Commit to it for a week and let me know what, if anything, changes in your lives. Singles: take that same time to commit to prayer everyday and watch for the results in your day-to-day life, and if you wouldn’t mind, fill me in.

We need to be entering into communion with the God of the universe; and seeking His heart on every matter, from our relationship with Him, to our knowledge of Him and His ways, to what’s on His heart and in His plans. Simply spouting off a grocery-type list of requests probably yields very little change.

We can be interceding for our children, our family relationships, our marriages and the marriages of those around us. The enemy seeks to destroy our children by hijacking our marriages. Yes, sometimes divorce seems to be the only answer to marital problems. But, sometimes it’s just the easiest or fastest to come by. In the long run, it can give Satan and his minions leverage against us, and our children. If you’re already in a blended family, pray for strength and unity, and courage to face life’s problems together.

We can be interceding for the unborn in our world, that the wombs that house them truly are the safest place they can be. We can come against radical Islam and witchcraft (which yes, is very much a reality) and against evil powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wickedness in high places. Our battle is not with each other, though often it appears so.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” – Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

I look forward to hearing about what prayer is doing in your life!