"How Do We Stay Focused in Our Prayer Lives?"
Psalm 1: 1-3; Acts 1: 12-14
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
June 18, 2018
Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, r sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. - Psalm 1: 1-13
[After Jesus ascended to heaven] then [the disciples] returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers. - Acts 1: 12-14
The Psalmist recognizes the wisdom that comes from being spiritually attentive to this gift of faith.
We are blessed by meditating on God’s Word day and night. We become like trees planted by the streams of water. The living water of Jesus Christ allows the roots of our faith to soak up God’s grace to bear spiritual fruit, to grow and endure, and to advance in God’s will (Psalm 1: 1-3).
Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, remained focused in his prayer life by retreating often to deserted places and going to the mountains alone [1]. He taught his disciples to pray by praising God, trusting in the coming kingdom, asking for God’s daily provision, confessing our need to be forgiven and forgiving others, and asking for our trials to be turned to triumphs for God’s glory [2].
In the days of the early church the disciples were constantly devoting themselves to prayer. It is a hallmark of the Christian life [3].
And yet, how do you and I stay focused, faithful, and persevere in prayer?
So, we look inward into our personal experiences.
Who first taught you to pray? You may have been a cradle Christian, or your first experience of prayer may not have happened until adulthood. It matters whether we had a positive or negative experience because it shapes our approach to prayer.
Thomas grew up learning the Lord’s Prayer as a song in which his family would sing at mealtime. But when a Sunday School teacher invited him to also talk to God like a best friend, prayer suddenly became a casual conversation with God [5].
Sharon was told that God would not love her if she did not pray every night on her knees. As a result, prayer became an obligation. It was a struggle to imagine prayer in a relational way when God seemed to be nothing but judgmental [6].
Our personal beliefs about prayer will differ. Nevertheless, it is important to reflect on how we have understood prayer, accept our past experiences, and then keep what is useful and discard what is not.
While I grew up in a Christian home, prayer was not something we talked about as a family; it was a private matter. I first began learning how to pray as an adult in a women’s Bible study. I learned so much from the wisdom of those women. They showed me prayer was speaking to God from the heart. We didn’t always need to have the right words. Sometimes “Thank you, Lord” or “Help me God” was enough.
It was a gift to see the value of praying together as a community, like we do here in worship or Bible study. The space of community helped me to grow in praying on my own. Since then I have explored lots of ways to pray: silent prayer, turning Bible verses into prayer, writing prayers in a journal, praying during mundane tasks and even praying when I am on the move.
As a fellow disciple of Jesus, prayer is so very important. Our tradition says that “In prayer, through the Holy Spirit, people seek after and are found by the one true God who has been revealed in Jesus Christ. They listen and wait upon God, call God by name, remember God’s gracious acts, and offer themselves to God to join God’s work in the world.” (Book of Order, W- 2. 1001).
The way I focus on prayer changes. I am like anyone else – I get bored, I become frustrated when it seems God is silent, and sometimes all my words are gone and I do not know what to say to God. I have even needed the help of a spiritual director when my faith has become dry and stagnant.
So, I share with you what I have learned over the years to persevere in prayer.
First, consider the rhythm of your daily life. What is the most realistic time window that you will reserve to connect with God?
If past plans have failed, then set apart 10 minutes each day. It is an incredible thing to get up with a good cup of joe or diet coke and watch our Maker paint the sky with a new color palette of grace. Ten minutes without interruptions means a good session of talking and listening to the One who loves us beyond measure.
I have a friend who has a standing lunch date with God. Each day she sets apart that time by turning off the distractions of computer and cell phone.
In this particular season of my life, I pray for between 15-30 minutes before I get out of bed in the morning and then again before I go to sleep at night.
Second, I want you to think about what helps you connect to God? I always encourage people to connect to God through the reading of Scripture. God’s Word is a primary way that God speaks to us.
A good place to start is by reading a daily devotion. Our church provides “These Days;” each edition covers 3 months. It is written by pastors and includes a short Bible passage to focus on, a reflection, a prayer, and an action step to put what you have read into practice.
Last year the Session and I read together “Jesus Calling,” by Sarah Young. This devotion will guide you through the year. Young includes 2-3 Scripture verses and her daily reflections of Scripture are as if God is speaking directly to you.
Keep a prayer list with your devotion for your praises and concerns. Sometimes I choose to designate certain days of the week to pray for specific areas: global, national, state, and community leaders; church members; ministry; family; and so on.
I am currently using the Presbyterian Church Daily Prayer App (purchase for $2 on your cell phone). You can choose a morning, midday, evening, or night time prayer entry. It begins with an opening sentence of Scripture to set apart this time window. It then leads to a psalm, an Old Testament reading, a Gospel reading, and a reading from one of the New Testament letters (epistles).
I read those Scriptures slowly and Holy Spirit usually makes a word, a phrase, or a verse stand out; I try to keep that phrase with me through the day. The prayer app then includes written prayers to thank God for a diversity of areas, and then a guided prayer to pray for different places in the world and various situations and people. This app has really helped me to focus and grow in the width and depth of prayer.
The Psalmist says, “Be still and know I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Those words, “Be still” simply mean to relax or wait. If you wait for God best by being on the move, then pray in motion.
Designate a separate time for Scripture reading and then go for a run or take a walk and connect with God. Thank God for the blessings you have noticed. Ask God to provide for areas of our world, country, community, friends and family that the Spirit brings to your attention. Pray for God to break your heart over what breaks God’s heart. Open your heart and share whatever is on your mind with God in your personal life.
Maybe your mind races and you get easily distracted like me. I have found that prayer doodling is helpful. Grab a paper and pen or colored pencils. Write the names of loved ones or areas of concern down. Allow your doodles to become prayers to God. I have written down names of church members who need prayers for healing and then color circles of yellow around their names as a symbol of God’s healing presence and light embracing them.
I have a friend who writes circle prayers. She places the name of a loved one or friend in a circle. She then writes inside the circle Bible passages of God’s promises to pray over that person. For example, praying Isaiah 41:10 for Emily – “Lord I know you are with Emily. Help her to not fear. Strengthen her and help her as she serves in Germany. Allow Emily to know that you uphold her with your victorious right hand.” It is powerful thing to pray Scripture.
Third, listen for God. Prayer is not just about us talking to God. It is also a communication line to listen for God speaking to us. As you go through your day, re-center yourself with God using a breath prayer. A breath prayer is a holistic way to connect our heart, mind, body and spirit. We need a space to just listen for the whispers of God’s grace.
Begin by slowly breathing in and fill your lungs with air. Hold the breath for a moment and then slowly exhale from your mouth. Repeat this to quiet yourself and focus on your breathing.
Then slowly breathe in while thinking the words, “Be still and know.” Slowly exhale out while thinking the words, “I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Breathe this breath prayer at least 10 times. Reflect on your experience by asking:
What do I notice right now?
How easy is it for God to get my attention?
When am I able to hear God’s still, small voice best?
In what ways has God been inviting me just to be with him?
The practice of prayer is just like the practice that an athlete, musician, student, or any skill requires. The more we devote ourselves to it, the more proficient we become.
My hope is that each of us will explore ways to seek God and be found by the Lord. Pay attention to Holy Spirit’s lead as we persevere in prayer one day at a time.
In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.
References:
[1] Hebrews 12:2; Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; 6:46; 14:32; Luke 4:42; 5:16; 6:12; 9:18
[2] Luke 11: 1-4; Matthew 6: 9-14
[3] Acts 1:14; 2:42; 4:24-26, 31; 6:3-4; 6:6; 7:59-60; 9:40; 11:18; 12:5; 13:3
[4] Jane Vennard, “A Praying Congregation: The Art of Teaching Spiritual Practice” (Herndon, The Alban Institute, 2005), pp. 3, 23, 27-29, 35.
[5] Jane Vennard, p. 27.
[6] Jane Vennard, p. 27.
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