Prayer in Step with Life

The following is an excerpt from my upcoming devotional book that I am currently writing. This is a little sneak peek for you to enjoy until the book is released. The devotion is subject to change pending the editing process before publication. The scripture readings come first, then the devotional reading.

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Readings

Luke 5:16

¹⁶ But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Romans 8:34

³⁴ Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

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Prayer in Step with Life

Many years ago, my brother and I started running for exercise. When our schedules allowed, we would run together for support and accountability. Often, though, we weren’t able to run together. On the days where I was running alone, I struggled to keep an even pace.

It was shortly after we started our running plan that I heard a speaker talking about how she got nicknamed “the queen of pace” while training for a marathon. She talked about how she had trouble with her pace when she started running. And one day, when she was feeling stressed and miserable, she went out for a run. Her iPod died a few minutes into her run. She was fuming. She thought about turning around and going home and quitting for the day. But she felt a stirring in her heart. She felt compelled to pray. So she prayed while she ran. She prayed over everything that was stressing her, she spoke and she listened. Her focus was not on the running, but on her conversation with God. She found at the end of the run that her soul was lighter, her body felt better, and her pace was perfectly even. On her next run, she tried it and had the same results. She never ran with an iPod again. From that point on, she used running as time to worship and converse with her creator. 

I decided to try it out for myself. My usual run at the time was two laps around the small lake near my house. I followed the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method of praying. On the first lap of the run, I would pray the adoration and confession portion of the prayer. Then I would pray the thanksgiving and supplication portion of the prayer on the second lap. Running felt easier when I was in active conversation with God. The decision to bring prayer intentionally into this one area of my life had a profound effect on the rest of my life. In the significant moments, and the mundane ones. I found that when I was in an overwhelming situation, the first thing I did was pray. I prayed more throughout my day, every day. Prayer became a natural conversation that started in the morning, praying over the day on general and specific events. I continued praying throughout the day as I connected with people, praying over the conversations I had with them, big and small, and praying for them and their needs. At the end of the day, I prayed, expressing my gratitude for the day, confessing my failings, and asking for renewal for the day to come. Many of the prayers were short and simple, much like how I might text a friend. 

As Christians, communication with God strengthens our faith. The flow of speaking and listening—we need to practice both with intentionality. One of the best examples of the reason to pray is Jesus. The Son of God, a member of the Holy Trinity, in perfect communion with God, prayed constantly. Look in the gospel accounts, or search online for Bible verses about Jesus praying. I encourage you to make prayer a foundational part of your life. Thanks to Jesus’ suffering on the cross, He has become our intercessor in prayer. Let’s use that gift and speak constantly to the creator and lover of our souls.

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*All Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.