Last year was a challenge. My family had planned surgeries and emergency surgeries. A beloved brother-in-law passed away along with cherished church members. I am praying that 2024 is a better year. I am also being more intentional about making prayer a priority.
When I studied the book of Nehemiah, I discovered a man who made a habit of prayer. Nehemiah prayed while in exile and he prayed when he returned to his beloved Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s life was not easy. After returning to Jerusalem, he had enemies outside the crumbling wall and among his own people. Nehemiah did not waste time on anger. He gave his problems over to God in prayer.
Even when a prophetess who should have been helping Nehemiah rebuild Jerusalem’s wall betrayed him, Nehemiah prayed for God to remember her. Nehemiah had too much on his plate to fret over Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14).
I have been trying to increase my prayer time in little ways. If someone calls, or asks me to pray for them, I do it right away, even praying with them on the phone.
When I have a long drive, I pray over my prayer list before turning on the radio or a podcast.
If my daily schedule is crazy, I recite The Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13. Sometimes, I break the prayer requests into topics. Health concerns are abundant especially as my friends age.
When the Lord brings someone to mind, I stop and pray for that person.
There is no right or wrong way to pray. In my chapel teaching days, I would give the students the acronym ACTS. Fill your prayer with:
A-adoration for God.
C-confess your sin or how you have blown it.
T-thank God for all his blessings and for giving you the Holy Spirit and eternal life.
S-supplication is asking for what you and others need. I always need God’s wisdom and strength. Nothing is too small to bring to God especially if it is causing you concern.
No matter what the new year brings, I am thankful that I can pray to a loving God for myself and for others.
My favorite verses tell us what God will give us when we pray.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
How do you add more prayer into your life?
When Adah bat Shallum finds the governor of Judah weeping over the crumbling wall of Jerusalem, she learns the reason for Nehemiah’s unexpected visit—God has called him to rebuild the wall around the City of David. Nehemiah challenges the people of God to labor on the wall and in return, the names of their fathers will be written in the annals for future generations to cherish. But Adah has one sister and no brothers. Will her father, who rules a half-district of Jerusalem, be forgotten forever?
Adah bravely vows to rebuild her city’s wall, though she soon discovers that Jerusalem not only has enemies outside the city, but also within. Can Adah, her sister, and the men they love, honor God’s call? Or will their mission be crushed by the same stones they hope to construct?
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Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast, Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She writes Christian Fiction from Bible Times to present day USA. Her Tribes of Israel series brings little-known Bible characters to light. Her novel “Christmas at Whispering Creek,” is a compelling, yet fun story, shining a light on breast cancer. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. You can find out more about Barbara and her books on her website www.barbarambritton.com.
Thanks for having me back on the blog. It’s always a pleasure being here.
Barbara, I appreciate your article on prayer so much. One way I pray is with pictures of those I’m praying for, it helps me focus. Cheers
Love this, Barbara! I needed a reminder to pray more throughout the day.