Prayer Stations
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”- Ephesians 6:18
It wouldn’t be surprising that two my greatest lessons and impressions from the Holy Spirit have come during times of prayer. What would cause pause, however, is the location where these heavenly epiphanies took place. Both times happened as I was praying in my CAR, as the Lord answered my prayer by addressing areas where I needed greater belief and surrender. These lessons changed my focus, enlivened my faith, and strengthened my hope. Talk about the ultimate bumper to bumper warranty!
Over the years, my car drive has become one of my favorite “prayer closet” locations. In fact, I prefer what I call “PRAYER STATIONS”, that cause me to seek the face of God and invite Him into what I am doing and what I am needing throughout my day. There is nothing wrong with having a private place and a set time each day to pray. In Matthew 6:6 Jesus says, “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.” However, I have discovered that life does not stop or slow down very much: There is work to be done, decisions to be made, responsibilities to embrace, and challenges to overcome every twenty-four hours. It is as I walk on the path before me, that I must pray to the God who is for me! It is through continually prayer, at different times and places, that we will find His wisdom, strength, and mercy meeting us and meeting our needs.
Psalm 55:17- “Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.”
Jeremiah 33:3- “Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
Matthew 7:7- “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18- “Rejoice always, pray without continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
These Prayer Stations can happen anywhere and at any time. Prayer is to happen far beyond a Sunday morning at church, each night at the dinner table, or in a hospital waiting room. As your are getting ready in the morning, ask the Lord to guide your day and give you success; as you are writing an email or about to make a phone call, ask the Lord to help you clearly communicate your heart and that the other person would be receptive; when you arrive to a meeting or appointment, ask the Lord to give you favor and peace; as you are walking in your neighborhood or at the mall, thank the Lord for the place you live, the beauty of His creation, and that people all around you would open to Jesus; when you wake up in the middle of the night with many thoughts, pray for God's peace to meet you; as you are watching or listening to news reports, pray for His kingdom to come to our land; when you and your spouse have an argument/disagreement, stop and join together in praying for unity and what is best for the family.
Dear friends, I am calling us to be a people who CALL ON THE LORD. Here are some next steps to get your PRAYER STATIONS up and running:
1) Attend this Sunday’s (10/13 after 10:45 am service) SPIRIT APP CLASS, as we will be teaching and discussing Speaking in Tongues as gift prayer language from God.
2) Come to the OPEN PRAYER TIMES at the church (Tuesdays from 8-9 am and Wednesdays from 5-6 pm).
3) Join us on Wednesdays at 7 pm for HEALING NIGHTS to receive prayer and stand with others.
4) Choose times, places, and activities THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY to pray and see God work wonderfully in your life!