Pharisaical Prayers

Luke 18 records the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee. Jesus tells a group of people who were confident in their righteousness and who looked down on others this parable. A Pharisee and a tax collector went to pray. The Pharisee thanked God that he was not like robbers/evildoers/adulterers/tax collectors. The Pharisee tells God how often he fasts and how much he tithes. But the tax collector stood apart, looking down, and remorsefully asked God to have mercy on him, even though he was a sinner. The tax collector, instead of the Pharisee, when home justified before God. Jesus finishes by saying that those who humble themselves with be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled.

Typically when we hear this parable, we all condemn the Pharisee and align ourselves with the tax collector's humility.

Except...we DO thank God that we aren't practicing <shameful sin>.

Except...we DO thank God that WE and those WE love aren't experiencing a disaster like <recent place>.

Except...we DO thank God that WE and those WE love don't have a disability like <recent person>. 

Except...we thank God that WE and those WE love are safe when the ambulance drives by.

Except...we do thank God that WE and those WE love aren't in <war-torn country>.

So let us stop praying like the Pharisee. 

Let us pray FOR those experiencing trauma, without thanking God that someone WE love isn't suffering.

Let us pray FOR those trapped in addictions, sins, and problems, without thanking God that WE don't have that struggle.

Let us pray FOR those experiencing disasters, without thanking God that OUR area is safe.

Let us pray FOR those adjusting to new disabilities or living with a long-term disability, without thanking God that WE are still "normal". 

Let us pray FOR those in the ambulance, without thanking God that no one WE love is injured.

Let us pray FOR those in war-torn countries, without thanking God that WE are safe. 

Because when we hear about a tragedy or a disaster and our first instinct is to thank God that it happened to someone else, we are not exhibiting Christlike love. 

So let us pray less like the Pharisee and more like the tax collector. 

Praying the Scriptures: Col. 4:2-4

Paul tells us that we should devote ourselves to prayer. We should be watchful of what to pray for and thankful when we pray.

We should pray for those spreading the Gospel and shepherding the churches, so that doors will be opened so that Christ may be proclaimed.

Even though Paul is in chains due to the Gospel, his prayer is for him to proclaim it clearly, instead of for his safety, freedom, or revenge.

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should."

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Praying for the Lost with an App

I was recently introduced to a digital service to help us to specifically pray for unreached people groups: Unreached of the Day by Joshua Project.

It gives you the option of downloading an app or signing up for emails.

It gives helpful prayer points, such as a summary of the people group (including country of origin), ministry obstacles, outreach ideas, scripture focus, scripture prayer, and statistics. We can click on their full profile, prayer cards, a bulletin insert, or a handout as well. 

If we are Christians, we should be praying for the lost to come to faith in Christ. It is good to be personally praying for the non-Christians we know, but we should also be praying big prayers for entire groups all around the world to encounter Christ.

Prayer Instructions in the Scriptures: Matt 6:5-8

This selection isn't a prayer per say, but before the Lord's Prayer, Jesus gave instructions on how to pray.

We are to pray in secret, not standing in front of people to be seen by them. 

We are to pray simply, not babbling, repeating ourselves, or being extra wordy.

 
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Spring Prayers

What sorts of prayers should we pray in the spring? Below are several questions. These aren't meant for you to quickly answer and move on, but prayerfully consider and invite the Holy Spirit to show you the answer.

Prayers of Growth

-What spiritual virtues does the Spirit need to grow in us? 

-What hibernating qualities does the Spirit need to awaken in us? 

-Holy Spirit, what is the state of my heart's soil? (Prayerfully read the parable of the sower in Matthew 13)

Prayers of Cleaning

-What dead leaves and sticks does the Spirit need to pick up in our lives? 

-Holy Spirit, what trash has blown into our hearts from the world? 

-Holy Spirit, what dust has accumulated in the corners of my heart and life? 

-Holy Spirit, what resources am I hoarding for myself instead of sharing with others? 

What other prayers and prayerful questions can you think of? 

Prayer App: PrayerMate

I sometimes forget to do things if there's not a reminder. If I don't write down my shopping list, I forget to buy everything I need.

PrayerMate is a delightful app to help me remember to pray (and what I want to pray for). 

It lets a person create lists to pray and add sub-categories to that list. 

Prayer reminders can be set at certain times, and in fact, prayer frequency can be adjusted from every time to once a week.

The app tracks your prayer requests to make sure that nothing is being skipped or forgotten. 

I've really enjoyed learning to use this prayer app, and get the reminders to pray each day.

Praying the Scriptures: Romans 15:13

Romans 15:13 has Paul praying that God will fill us with joy and peace. He prays that we trust God and overflow with hope through the Holy Spirit.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.