Day 238 – When Should You Pray?

When Should You Pray?

In asking the question, “when should you pray?”, the obvious answer is: All the time. But it is just as obvious to note that we don’t pray all the time. The Scriptures exhort us to “pray without ceasing”. (I Thess. 5.17) Jesus lives always to make intercession for us. (Heb. 7.25) If Jesus is doing it and the Bible tells to do it, then it must be possible to do. One thing is for sure that in every waking moment our mind is in a conversation. There is an inner dialog going on continually. Our lips may not be moving, but our mind is talking. So, to be able to pray at all times, then we must, somehow, direct the verbal and mind talk toward God. Our thoughts and our words are important to God. Psalms 19.14 says: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

The Holy Spirit gives us discernment as to how we should pray. He helps us in our weakness, giving us the right words to think and speak. (Romans 8.26-27) Spiritual hypocrisy is when we take this discernment and turn it into ridicule and criticism. The purpose of this gift is to be able to intercede according to what God said He would do. John wrote in his first epistle that when we see a brother committing a sin not leading to death, we are to ask God to give him life. (5.16) To the carnal mind, such information is readily turning into judgment and slander, resulting in offense and hurt. As the carnal mind talks over its evaluation, it becomes difficult to keep it inside. Given the opportunity, it spills out to someone else’s ready ears. Instead of praying for the person, one gossips.

Prayer remedies each situation. Judgment, slander and ridicule only exaggerates it. God gives insight into situations and people’s lives so that we can pray life into them. When you see someone suffering; pray. When you see someone rejoicing; pray. When you see someone depressed; pray. When you see someone alone; pray. When you see someone whispering; pray. When you see people arguing; pray. In so doing, you place all in God’s hands. Don’t spend all your time trying to get people right with God. Use your discernment as a tool in prayer and let God move on their hearts. There is not a situation that does not need prayer. For this reason, we are to pray at all times. Prayer puts God in charge. If He wants more from you than this, He will direct you. Don’t do anything without praying first.

Prayer brings us into the heart of God. Prayer awakens our minds to the thoughts God has about others. In prayer, we can agonize for what He agonizes over. In prayer, God can convey His thoughts regarding the people for whom we are interceding. Prayer changes us first and then others. In a sense, prayer is worship and worship is prayer. It is alignment of purpose and priority. Prayer is not the hard heart that throws its petitions at God and demands from Him what we desire. Prayer is death to selfishness and life to willingness. It is: “not my will by Yours be done.”

If you think that no one really is interceding correctly or enough, then be that person yourself. If you think that most people are lazy, when it comes to prayer, and carnal in their desires, then be an example for them to follow. If we are hard toward others, we will be hard toward God. Let your thoughts be renewed in His presence. They will become your prayers and then your words will be greatly used by God.

Scriptures to meditate on:

Jer. 27.18; Ps. 19.14; I John 5.16; I Tim. 2.1; I Thess. 5.17; Phil. 2.5; Heb. 7.25