Good morning, good afternoon, good evening. Wherever you are, whatever time it may be, I pray God’s peace surrounds you. Today, instead of giving you a standard message, I have something else in mind. This week, I am presenting you with a challenge.
I write because I intend to draw any potential readers closer to Christ the best way I know how. I’ve learned from personal experience and biblical example, that the best way to draw nearer to God is by detaching from the world and leaning into prayer. Isn’t that what Christ did on multiple occasions?
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
(Luke 5:16 NIV)
I know we’re all busy. Incredibly busy. But if you could just take time out of your day to intentionally sit still this week and pray, I don’t think you’ll regret it. And I mean to actively pray. Don’t send up your normal run-of-the-mill prayers. I’m petitioning you to pray like your life depends on it because truthfully, the quality of your life does depend on it.
Go for a walk, breathe in the air and feel the sunshine while you pray. Or wake up a little earlier in the stillness of the morning and pray. Or turn off the radio in your car and pray. Doesn’t matter how you get away and go pray, just free up some time and do it.
If Jesus often withdrew and prayed, shouldn’t we always withdraw and pray? I don’t care if you are at work, and you need to step away into the bathroom stall for five minutes to pray. Just go and pray. I realize that most of us aren’t afforded the opportunity to withdraw from work, parenting, or the many other responsibilities we have to withdraw on the level Christ did.
Yet, God is aware of our schedule. Thus, He is also aware of our downtime. Oh, you have downtime… I know you do. And if you say that you don’t, I am sure that you make time for the things you deem worthy of your time. Is God not worthy of your time? He found you worthy of His life…
So, my challenge to you is to pray earnestly this week. Pay homage to God. Talk to God. Thank God. Praise God in your prayers this week. Pray to Him multiple times throughout the day if possible (not to be assuming or sarcastic, but it is possible). You can simply pray to God in your spirit as you go about your daily activities if you so choose.
However you pray, whenever you pray is, of course, up to you. But pray, y’all. Pray. It’s how we access the unlimited, ever-loving God. It’s how we connect with the Ancient of Days, the single most powerful being in the universe.
What a privilege it is to pray! It seems it shouldn’t be so easy to go before the throne of a supreme holy, God. But it is. So, let’s take advantage of it. Accept this challenge with me, and let’s pray.
And while we pray, let’s listen. God will speak to us through the living Word of God. He will deposit Spirit-led guidance into our being. We need to keep an open ear to Him. And whatever we hear from Him, we need to apply it. A perfect God gives perfect instructions. We need only to follow.
That’s it you guys. Get away and go pray this week. I challenge you to send up sincere, intentional prayers. May we make prayer intentionality our lifestyle. I pray you accept the challenge 😊 Be blessed! And have an amazing week, in Jesus name, Amen.
Quin Arrington's debut book "And Then You Shall Have Good Success: Attaining Good Success God's Way" is available on Amazon in paperback and eBook format. Link to book listed below.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093YK8SBJ?pf_rd_r=5YWRGY52QBQEF3N74385&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35