Letter From the Editors Desk: Top 5 Distractions That Affect Your Prayer Life and Why Daily Prayer is Vital
Hello ePrayer Circle’s Tribe,
In our fast-paced world, finding time to pray daily can be challenging. Many distractions compete for our attention, pulling us away from this essential practice. Understanding these distractions and the importance of daily prayer time can help us stay focused and connected to God. I remember many times when I would pray for 10 minutes or recite a prayer from the Bible by heart and then rush out the door for work and daycare. I would pray with my daughter in the car on the way to daycare.
However, over the last 10 years, before praying I always ask the Holy Spirit to guide me in prayer and intercede on my behalf so that I may pray for the things I need to pray for but don’t know I ought to pray for as well as pray within the will of the Father in Jesus name. When I approach prayer this way, I often find myself in prayer for one to three hours. I make the time. I had to learn time management and put it into practice.
The Holy Spirit truly prays for us by quickening our spirit and/or praying in tongues on our behalf. I often pray for people that I don’t know from ePrayer Circle’s prayer request form or phone messages as well as discuss events from my present and past life with God. I go into fellowship with God. We are to have a personal relationship with God. It’s amazing.
God truly orders our steps and provides direction so that we may walk in spirit and truth. He corrects wrong thinking and spiritual problems. He heals us physically and spiritually. He blesses us and changes situations. He helps us see ourselves and our situations so the outcome is successful for us. It can be finding a good doctor, finding a home in a great location, landing a job, or ideas for a business.
God wants us to be happy and live our best life. He ensures we have all we require for life, though not necessarily everything we want, as some desires may lead us away from Him and our walk with Christ. Prayer protects us. It is the only thing that goes into the future and waits for us. Therefore, prayer is vital, and God does answer the faith. Let’s talk about it.
alt tag: Let Us Pray
Here are two passages that speak about the Holy Spirit praying for us:
- Romans 8:26-27 (King James Version)
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. - Jude 1:20 (King James Version)
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.
Certainly! Here are two examples from the Bible that illustrate how Jesus viewed praying:
- Luke 11:1-4 – The Lord’s Prayer: In this passage, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray. He emphasizes the importance of addressing God as our Father and includes elements of praise, submission to God’s will, provision, forgiveness, and deliverance from temptation. This prayer serves as a model for how believers should approach God in prayer, highlighting the importance of regular and meaningful communication with God.
- Matthew 26:36-46 – Jesus Prays in Gethsemane: In this passage, Jesus demonstrates the depth of His prayer life and His reliance on prayer in times of great distress. Facing His impending crucifixion, Jesus prays earnestly to the Father, expressing His anguish and requesting that the cup of suffering be taken from Him if possible. However, He ultimately submits to God’s will, saying, “Not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). This example shows Jesus’ trust in God’s plan and His commitment to prayer even in the most difficult circumstances.
Here are the passages where Jesus teaches about prayer:
- Matthew 6:5-15 (King James Version)
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray, standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye, therefore, like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye need before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Alt tag: #The Lord’s Prayer
Distraction 1: Busyness
Our schedules are often packed with activities, leaving little room for prayer. We rush from one task to another, neglecting our spiritual well-being. However, Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:33 KJV to “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness,” highlighting the importance of prioritizing prayer.
Distraction 2: Technology
The rise of smartphones and social media has made it easier to stay connected but also easier to become distracted. Constant notifications and the temptation to check our devices can pull us away from prayer. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “Be still, and know that I am God,” encouraging us to disconnect and focus on prayer.
Distraction 3: Worry
Anxiety about the future can consume our thoughts, making it difficult to pray. However, 1 Peter 5:7 KJV urges us to “cast all your care upon him; for he careth for you,” reminding us that God is in control and cares for us.
Distraction 4: Worldly Desires
The pursuit of material possessions and worldly pleasures can distract us from prayer. 1 John 2:15 warns us, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world,” emphasizing the importance of prioritizing our spiritual life over worldly desires.
Distraction 5: Lack of Discipline
Sometimes, we simply lack the discipline to maintain a consistent prayer life. However, Colossians 4:2 KJV encourages us to “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving,” reminding us of the importance of perseverance in prayer.
Why Daily Prayer is Vital
- Connection with God: Prayer is our direct line to God, allowing us to communicate with Him and deepen our relationship.
- Guidance and Direction: Through prayer, we seek God’s guidance and wisdom in our daily lives.
- Strength and Comfort: Prayer provides us with strength and comfort, knowing that God is always with us.
- Protection: Prayer protects us from harm and evil, as mentioned in Psalm 91:15, “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.”
- Transformation: Prayer has the power to transform us and our circumstances. James 5:16 says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much,” highlighting the effectiveness of prayer in bringing about change.
In conclusion, while distractions may abound, daily prayer is essential for our spiritual well-being. By recognizing these distractions and understanding the importance of prayer, we can cultivate a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God. Improve your time management system to make time for a personal relationship with the Lord.
Reflection Questions
- How do distractions impact your prayer life, and what steps can you take to overcome them?
- In what ways have you experienced the importance of daily prayer in your spiritual journey?
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alt tag: My Salvation
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 10:9-10 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation
John 3:5-6 5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is the Spirit.
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