Are Church and school activities, homework and household chores chocking your prayer life?
Debbie and Pam were talking about heroes.
“I can’t think of anybody to look up to anymore.” Debbie complained.
“Neither can I,” Pam greed.
“But I do know of a hero in the Bible who impresses me a lot.”
“Who’s that? Debbie asked in surprise.
“Daniel. Remember the story Bout Daniel in the lion’s den. He’s my idea of a real hero. Yet I know he got all his courage and strength through prayer.”
“I remember the story.” Debbie said. “And I remember that Daniel’s life was on the line because he took time out to pray to God three times a day, no matter what. That’s the kind of faith I would like to have.”
Someone has said, “Praise God anyway, no matter what happens.” In the same way, we can pray anyway, no matter how busy we are. It is a matter of sorting out our priorities and making God first on the list.
We young people are often so engrossed in school activities and other things that we scarcely have time to do much else. There are after-school practices and rehearsals each day. Then there are games and concerts on weekends. Sometimes the sports teams take trips to other towns and cities for away-from-home games. This takes up even more precious time.
During so-called “spare time.” There is schoolwork to do and home chores to take care of. When does such an active and involved teenager have time to pray?
One girl discovered that with all the excitement she was waking up about an hour before the alarm would go off. The Lord was able to reach her and plant an idea in her mind that has helped her prayer life immensely. She could pray during this hour.
God loves our worship and adoration. Even though we may give him this at Church on Sunday. He longs for it every day. He also longs to hear us thank Him for answered prayers. Sometimes we can start by counting our blessings—as the familiar old hymn states.
If we keep our ears open for the needs of others, our prayer list will grow longer and longer. It can easily take a full hour just to pray for all the people we know who are in need of prayer. This doesn’t mean only those who are ill, facing the loss of loved one, or in financial trouble. It means praying for people who are still lost and in need of the Savior. Thinking of their final fate, if they do not trust Jesus before they die, will increase our motivation to pray for their salvation.
Think of Daniel and the things you admire about him. He was a competent, courage and powerful man. Where did he get these great traits? Through daily prayer.
In Ezekiel 14 two references are made to the righteousness of Noah. Daniel and Job. They were not sinless; yet God honored their right ways of living and made an example of them (see vv. 14,20).
Isn’t it near to find an attractive powerful and righteous hero in a biblical character? He is a hero worth imitating today.
If your school is typical, only ten percent of the students are believers. Daniel 6 for the courage and perseverance needed in living their faith in front of their no believing classmates.
Prayer is a vital part of faith; it is the way we communicate with God. Daniel kept on praying when he was forbidden to and thus faced death in a lion’s den for his incredible loyalty to God. You may face the persecution of your peers for admitting that prayer is a big part of your life. Yet when God acts in your life in a powerful way, your friends are going to take notice. Then you will have an opportunity to tell them where you get your strength and power. You get your strength and power. Your own life can be your best witness to the lost if you are yielded to the Lord so He can use you.
The Christian girls on our local basketball teams are reaping the results of daily prayer. They are playing the game much better and have more wins to their credit. But the greatest benefit is in their changed lives.
Daniel knew that a decree had been issued and was endorsed by King Darius. He knew that for 30 days any person who was caught worshiping anyone other than the king would be thrown into the lion’s den. Fully aware of the penalty, Daniel “went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God. As he did aforetime” (Dan. 6:10).
We know that Daniel was made to pay the penalty but that God miraculously closed the mouths of the lions so they would not hurt him. The Lord we love and serve will honor our prayers too. He loves us more than we can imagine, and He wants the best for us. But He wants to hear from us in prayer on a regular and daily basis.
If you are not praying every day, why not try to develop this delightful habit? The first thing in the morning or the last thing at night may be the best times if you think you’re too busy to pray.
Yes, if you say that God is first in your life, can you ever be too busy to pray? CL
by Shirley D
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