Pray and Do

Throughout my Christian walk I’ve often thought about prayer - the mechanics of it, and the heart and intent behind it. Back in my university days I was the “prayer secretary” for the local Christian union which included me running the weekly prayer meeting. Fast forward 30+ years to today and I’m doing a similar thing as the chaplain for our local Gideon’s International camp.

In recent weeks I’ve been reflecting more on God’s instructions for us to pray. There are numerous scriptures that encourage us or even command us to pray, particularly in the letters written by St Paul where he often wraps up with a quick fire list of instructions and encouragements that almost always includes a call to pray. Here are just a few (emphasis mine):

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6)

And maybe the most direct of all:

pray without ceasing, (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

But it’s not just Paul’s letters that encourage us to pray. King David wrote,

   Therefore let everyone who is godly

        offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; (Psalm 32:6a)

And of course Jesus Himself instructed us to pray…

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6)

(Note He says when you pray, not if you pray!)

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. (Luke 18:1)

And He gives us His model for prayer (The Lord’s Prayer):

Pray then like this: 

    “Our Father in heaven,

    hallowed be your name.

    Your kingdom come,

    your will be done,

        on earth as it is in heaven.

    Give us this day our daily bread,

    and forgive us our debts,

        as we also have forgiven our debtors.

    And lead us not into temptation,

        but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:9-13)

In addition to these scriptures there are numerous books, sermons and other encouragements from Christians through the ages for us to be a people who pray:

The book that I appreciated the most on the topic of prayer is from NavPress, but I don’t think it’s in print any more, so get it where you can: “Nurturing a Passion for Prayer: A Discipleship Journal Bible Study Pamphlet – February 15, 2000, by Michael Smith”. 

My second favorite is “War Room: Prayer Is a Powerful Weapon” (based on the movie by the Kendrick brothers)

And in searching for new books on the topic, I found this one and I’m going to check it out next: “Going Higher with God in Prayer: Cultivating a Lifelong Dialogue” by A.W. Tozer

I’m quite succinct in how I write. If you want someone to write an elaborate and engaging treatise, that’s not me. I like concise and pithy statements that get to the essence of something. In the business world, give me a nice and focused, one-sentence vision statement and I’ll get it. Give me a list of values we live by and I might remember half of them on a good day. I joke with my pastor (but I mean it), to only give me at max, a 3 point sermon, otherwise I won’t remember it. 7 habits…, 7 keys…, or 7 anything else and I’m toast.

So, to the point of my blog this time. What God has been laying on my heart of late is the simple phrase:

Pray and do, not do and pray.

Encapsulated in this simple idea is that I need to pray first. Before I do anything, particularly if it’s focused on serving Him, I need to pray first. That’s it. I shouldn’t head off and do something and then afterwards pray and ask Him to bless it. I need to pray first.

But also notice that it’s not just “pray” but “pray and do.” After praying comes action. That action should be to do what God wants me to do. And by praying first, I’m more likely to be about His business rather than mine.

Let me wrap up with a simple prayer I’ve been using to help me to gain perspective and “pray and do” more effectively (though still a work in progress, of course!)

My simple daily prayer

Father God, You are God and I am not.

And You love me. Thank You.

What do You want me to do today?

{Then wait and listen}

Praise You King Jesus. Let Your Kingdom come. Amen