For the week of July 19, 2006

A Recharged Prayer Life

That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! (Ephesians 1:15-19 from The Message).

When was the last time you prayed like that--with earnestness, clarity, and power? Wouldn’t you like to have that kind of focus every time you prayed? If your prayer life needs recharging, here are a few insights from Paul’s prayer to grab on to:


Express Gratitude

What’s the first thing you see the apostle doing? He’s giving thanks. In fact, he hasn’t stopped giving thanks for the Christians at Ephesus since he first heard about them. How about you? Do you start your prayers with a heart full of thanksgiving or do you jump right into a list of “gimmes”? It is amazing but true: gratitude will radically alter your life perspective. Instead of wallowing in what’s wrong with the world, start thanking God for the things that are right.


Ask for Wisdom and Understanding

Think you know all there is to know about God or his Word? Think again! Paul prays that "the eyes of your heart will be enlightened" so that "you will know God better" (NIV). Pray that God will broaden your understanding of who he is, deepen your faith in what he can do, and strengthen your resolve to go where he leads.


Pray for Christians around the World

When Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesian church, he was a prisoner in Rome, yet he continued to keep those Christians in his prayers—even though they were quite a distance away. Taking a cue from Paul, it is imperative that you pray not only for your local church, but for the church across America and around the world. Christianfreedom.org has a list of what it calls “The Dirty Dozen”—countries where Christians are being persecuted right now, today, for their faith in Christ. They include:

1. Bangladesh
2. Burma
3. China
4. Eritrea
5. Indonesia
6. Iran
7. Laos
8. Nigeria
9. North Korea
10. Pakistan
11. Saudi Arabia
12. Sudan

Are you praying for Christians who are facing injustice, imprisonment, and even death for the sake of Jesus? Let’s pray that God will open hearts and minds in those countries to the good news of Jesus.

Disturbed by the headlines? Pray! Disgusted by the display of celebrities on TV and music videos? Stop and pray for them. Upset with your elected leaders? Keep them in your prayers. It blows my mind to think about what God can do in our world if Christians, individually and collectively, will cooperate with him in prayer.

This week pray for yourself, your circumstances, and the people you love, yes—but then move the circle of prayer outward to encompass your church, neighbors, coworkers, community, teachers, city council, mayor, governor, House and Senate representatives, president, nation, and world. Make prayer a priority and God will bless you.

-William Sherman-