First Thessalonians 5:16-18 states: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
If you are anything like me sometimes you need to be reminded to pray. I know it is often easy to remember to pray when someone we love is sick or when someone we know has had a tragedy in their life, but unfortunately it is also easy to forget to pray when things seem to be going well in our lives. We (myself included) need to have a mindset of prayer as a daily part of the Christian walk.
Take Time to Pray
1. When you wake up in the morning. Can you think of a better way to start your day than with a prayer of thanksgiving for another day of life?
2. Before your meals. Christ set this example in Matthew 14:19 (as well as in other passages) before the feeding of the five thousand men as well as the women and children gathered there.
3. Before your travel and after your arrival. This is a great time to pray with your family. Pray for safe travel on your trip and pray a prayer of thanksgiving when you arrive.
4. When someone you love is struggling physically, emotionally, or spiritually. In Acts 12:5 while Peter was in prison the Bible says, “but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.”
5. When life is treating you well. It is important to be thankful for times in life when your world isn’t turned upside down.
6. When life is hard. Christians always have something to be thankful for: the opportunity of eternal salvation through obedience to God.
7. Before you go to sleep at night. This is a great opportunity to reflect upon your day with the Lord. Colossians 3:17 states: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
These are just a few examples of times that we can take to pray to God. Romans 12:12 echoes the passage in 1st Thessalonians: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”