The Busy Woman's Guide to Prayer

No matter how packed your daily
planner is, here’s why you need
to find time with the Lord.
By Cheri Fuller

Like Martha in the Bible, I have lots to do—office
work, writing projects, laundry, cooking, cleaning.
Just this week, for instance, I had a deadline
to meet, my daughter-in-law was hospitalized,
and I cared for her baby. Add in meals to cook,
a household to run, a prayer group to lead, and
preparation for an overseas ministry trip. It’s a real
challenge to squeeze in time for prayer!
No matter how packed your daily planner is, here’s why
you need to find time with the Lord.

I used to think, If I don’t pray at a certain time of day,
then my prayers don’t really count. Then my prayer
life underwent a radical transformation. I discovered
the apostle Paul’s command to “pray continually” (1
Thessalonians 5:17) means more than just spending a lot
of time in prayer; it means sharing a continual dialogue
with God wherever I go.
The truth that God listens to my prayers wherever I
am didn’t sink in until my son, Chris, left to attend
a university 20 hours from home. Oh, how I missed
hearing his voice! Busy with premed classes, intramural
basketball, and studying, Chris didn’t call often. But once
in a while, the phone would ring, and it would be Chris.
I’d drop everything—the project I was working on, dinner
preparations—just to hear my son’s voice.
One day I realized God feels the same way about me, only
hundreds of times more, because I’m his child (John 1:12)!
Whether I’m walking, driving across town, or sending
a prayer heavenward from my computer, he delights in
hearing from me—not just once a day, but throughout the
day. Scripture says he “inclines his ear” and is “open to
hear” my prayers (Psalm 40:1; 34:15).
I became even more excited about the effects of praying
continuously when I noticed that throughout the Bible, God
used short prayers to accomplish great things—such as
raising the dead or parting the Red Sea. It dawned on me
that thoughts such as, But I can’t pray long enough, or If I
can’t pray one hour, then why pray? have no biblical basis.
It’s wonderful to have longer sessions of prayer when I
can, but remembering that my short prayers can have a big
impact encourages me to pray throughout the day.
Whether you’re married or single, with or without
children, you probably struggle with your prayer life
as I did with mine. The good news is, you don’t have to
put either life or prayer on hold. Here’s how to begin
building a 24/7 prayer life.
Get a Good Start
For me, a life of continuous prayer now starts even
before I lift my head off the pillow. I say, “Lord, this is
the day you’ve made; help me focus on you in the midst
of all I’ve got to do.”
I read God’s Word before the demands of the day flood
in, because Scripture never fails to draw me into prayer
and praise. Praying things such as “Lord, help me to
trust in you with all my heart and not lean on my own
understanding” (from Proverbs 3:5–6), or “Thank you,
Father, that you are compassionate and gracious, slow
to anger and abounding in love” (from Psalm 103:8),
helps me zero in on the Mountain-Mover instead of the
mountains I may be facing. And most days I pray these
and other prayers for my family and friends during my
morning walk.
My friend Betsy also starts her day with prayer and
exercise. Betsy—who’s active in her church’s women’s
ministry, leads a neighborhood Bible study, and serves
on various committees and boards—still finds time to
pray faithfully for many people and concerns while
walking 30 minutes on her treadmill. For example,
Betsy prayed for me to experience energy and strength
while I spoke at her church’s retreat—and I did! I know
that Betsy’s “treadmill prayers” are effective because
I’ve personally experienced God’s answers to them.

Clue into Visual Reminders
I use the things around me as visual cues to prompt
me to pray. For example, as I pass the windows of
neighbors’ houses on my morning walk, I pray, “God, let
your light shine in; bless them and draw them closer
so they’ll know you.” As I shower after walking, I pray,
“Lord, please create in me a clean heart and renew a
right spirit within me; cleanse my heart of sin” (from
Psalm 51:10). When I drive past a school and see a
school-zone sign, I make the area a “prayer zone” by
asking God to protect the students and to give all the
teachers wisdom.
Later, as I bake bread or cook a meal, I’m reminded
to pray that Christ would be the Bread of Life for the
person receiving it. Picking up a loved one’s shoes
triggers me to pray that his feet will stay on God’s path.
Seeing something lovely—a mallard duck flying through
the sky or fresh blooms on a rose bush—reminds me to
say a prayer of thanks to God for his creation.
My friend Peggy also likes using visual cues. When she
puts on her seat belt before heading to the high school to
substitute teach, she says, “Lord, I want to abide in you
and be yoked with you.” When she stops at a stop sign,
she takes a deep breath and says, “My rest is in you
alone, Lord. I may be trying to get somewhere, but thank
you that you are preparing the way.”
With visual cues to prompt us, all our daily activities—
gardening, cleaning, working, or creating—become
springboards to conversation with God.

Use Tools to Stay Focused
It’s easy for my mind to wander during prayer. One
way I counteract this is by using the acronym B-L-ES-
S as I pray for my family and friends. Each letter in
the acronym stands for a key area of life: Body, Labor,
Emotional, Social, and Spiritual.
For example, for our son, Chris, who’s now a Navy
doctor, I prayed today: “Lord, bless Chris’s body;
strengthen and protect him during his deployment.
Bless Chris’s labor; give him wisdom as he cares for
the Marines’ medical needs and injuries. Bless Chris’s
emotional life; help him trust you concerning his and
his wife Maggie’s move to Hawaii. Father, bless Chris’s
social relationships; bring him a Christian friend on
the ship while he’s deployed. And bless Chris’s spiritual
life; help him draw near to you and your Word more
each day.”
Dena, a busy mother of four, always felt guilty about
not praying more often. She needed a way to focus her
attention during the snippets of time she found herself
alone. So one day she wrote down every prayer request
she could think of—for herself, family, friends, church,
community, nation, and world. Then she divided them
into 31 equal segments and put them in a notebook.
She keeps the notebook in her bathroom, one of the
only places she has a few minutes alone. Each day she
prays over the few items that correspond to the day of
the month. Dena’s notebook helps her focus on each of
the many needs in her world—one day, one minute at a
time.

Pray on the Spot
With all I’ve got going on, I don’t want to forget to pray
for others’ struggles. So instead of saving those prayers
for a special prayer time, I pray right on the spot. If a
friend asks me to pray for a specific need, I offer to pray
with her right then. If a speeding ambulance passes me
while I’m driving, I immediately pray for the people in it
and for the doctors who’ll care for the injured people at
the hospital.
Connie, a busy mom, Bible teacher, and Christian
psychotherapist, finds time to pray for the many people
she sees each day by praying on the spot, too. At the end
of each counseling session, Connie takes a few moments
to pray with her client. She then pauses to ask God that
he would give her wisdom and discernment to help the
next patient before he or she arrives (Psalm 119:66).
Connie also prays the same prayer for the patients she
sees heading into nearby medical offices.
“Even in the midst of my busy days, God gives me ‘minimoments’
to lift those around me in prayer,” says Connie.
“Everyone we come in contact with daily is struggling
with something. It may be their job, their marriage, an
illness, or stress. Everyone needs our prayers.”
I’m still a Martha by nature, but I’ve found praying
continually isn’t just another duty or heavy burden to bear.
Prayer is how I know God, not just know about him; it’s
how I hear God, not just hear about him. Time after time,
when I pour out my burdens, concerns, and problems, I
experience his peace and hope. I see his faithfulness more
clearly. I experience his comfort in trials, his unfailing
love as I see him provide for needs about which I’ve
prayed.

E.M. Bounds, a 19th-century pastor, said, “Your
prayers will outlive your life.” Long after my address
has changed to heaven, the short prayers I’ve said
while rocking a feverish baby, working on the
computer, or moving throughout my day, still will be a
blessing to those for whom I’ve prayed.

Reflect
Paul’s command to “pray continuously” seems
impossible in our busy lives. How might you make
this a reality in your life?

Which of the author’s suggestions resonate most with
you? Why?

Parenting - The Early Years: New MOPS Summer Bible Study

Hi MOPS Moms!
I am so excited that summer is just around the corner! I have felt led to begin a summer MOPS Bible Study. I'm planning on doing it 2 Wednesday evenings per month at 7p.m. through the summer. We will meet most likely at the church but maybe at someone's home...details to follow on that. Childcare will not be available. Tentative start date is June 2nd.

I have selected a Bible Study called "Parenting - The Early Years," by Les and Leslie Parrott. There are DVDs that will kick off each evening we spend together and inspire our conversation and study together. Here is a link to preview the study:
Parenting - The Early Years Kit with Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott : Adult Small Groups at Bluefish TV

Please email me if you are interested in joining me in this study. I will also pass out a sign-up sheet at Friday's MOPS meeting as well.

***Exciting announcement***

Hey ladies, I bring you this very exciting and news-worthy announcement to brighten your beautiful spring day! Next year for MOPS 2010-2011 we will have 2 mentor moms!!! Mary Erhard has agreed to join Cathy Pound in mentoring our MOPS group! I am so thrilled that the Lord has prepared her schedule to come along side all of us. I am taking this entry from her blog http://wisewomenofgodsword.blogspot.com. Also, there is a link for her blog off to the side on the MAP blog page if you'd like to check it out! If you want to email Mary to let her know you're excited to have her join us, you can post a comment on her blog or you can email her at mherhard@windstream.net. Enjoy her post!


What to do when you don't know what to do...

I always pick a scripture for each member of my family, including myself, at the beginning of the new year. I then make a laminated prayer card with a picture of each member and their scripture so that I can pray for them regularly. This year, the scripture that I picked for myself is:
"Wait for the Lord, and keep His way, and He will exalt you to inherit the land." ~Ps. 37:34
I love this verse for me at this point in my life, because I am one of those persons who feels validated by accomplishing things that are measurable, and right now, that is just not happening. At least in the way of Christian Service and Ministry. Notice that I capitalized those words, mainly because in my mind, and in the minds of many others, those words define ways that we serve the Lord that are obvious, and as I said already, measurable. As in:
~Today I had a prayer team meeting and we were able to set lots of goals for the year.
~Today I helped to serve dinner at Water's Edge Outreach to lots of hungry boys and girls.
~Today I taught a Bible study to many women who are eager to learn from God's Word.

Am I being clear here about what I mean as far as serving the Lord by wearing lots of hats in Christian Service and Ministry? I love those labels such as "Prayer Team Leader" or "Director of College Ministries" or "Titus 2 Women's Ministry Leader". The reason I love them is because they give me a real sense of what I am accomplishing and I can check off of my "to do for the Lord" list any number of things that look substantive.

The only problem is, there are times in my life (and yours) when I am not able for any number of reasons to rack up points in the "Service for the Lord" column in those ways. And when that happens, I struggle with a sense of worth and value in my own eyes, although I know that isn't right. At this point in time, I feel strongly that the Lord is urging me to stay in a quiet place of availability for those who might need me, primarily family and friends, for any number of reasons. To avoid getting involved in anything that requires my time and attention on a scheduled basis so that I am free to help out wherever I'm needed. Also, free to take more time in sitting at His feet (which I'm having a hard time doing, because I am a DO-ER, not a SITTER), and praying, and meditating.

I went for several months trying to figure out what I should be doing in the way of ministry since I had experienced a change in my circumstances that had closed several doors. Rather than jump into the first, or second, or even third thing that came along, I decided to just wait and pray and see what the Lord might want me to do for Him, rather than me telling Him what I ought to be doing. I claimed that verse from the Psalms, and am feeling better all the time about having waited rather than jumping into any number of things with both feet. A Christian Service and Ministry opportunity just arose recently with the local MOPS group that I am very excited about, and I am so glad that I am able to say yes because I have the time available to do so.

So when you're not sure what you should be doing to serve the Lord, remember that every part of your life can be a service to Him. Folding laundry, writing notes of encouragement to someone who might need it, ironing shirts for your husband, playing in the park with your kids, sitting at the Lord's feet in prayer or just in listening mode, all these are things that are sacrifices of love that the Lord receives as an offering poured out before Him. Just wait, and He will open the doors. If you open them yourself and get ahead of Him, you just might run into some brick walls, and that's a lot more painful than sitting and waiting.

Burn out

I came across this passage in my women's Bible last week...and it spoke to me. I am at that point in the year where I just want all schedules and commitments to cease. I'm ready to embrace summer and all it's long, unstructured days ahead. Here's the devotion:

"Feeling burnt out, disillusioned, exhausted or lonely? At some point on the road of life we all hit "empty." When it happens to you, it's time to pray Paul's prayer - and expect God to answer it.
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ask God to strengthen your inner self - because only Christ can fill the emptiness in your heart. Ask God to help you grasp a measure of his immeasurable love your you - experience it your self so that you may be filled with the fullness of God. His unfathomable love is always the renewing antivote for burnout. It may take time, but God will answer."

Attitude is a chioce

"Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 16:24
I want to challenge you to take a 24-hour break from a negative, joy-robbing attitude! Think about an attitude, or situation, that is robbing you of joy and interrupting your thoughts. It may be a particular worry about a person or situation. It may be critical thinking or a gloomy outlook.
When you push the attitude out of your mind, replace it with the verse above. Say it aloud to yourself. Do whatever you need to to focus on God and His love, rather than the situation that has caused your attitude to be negative. Ask for God's help in this. He will guide you and give you the persistence you need in this endeavor.
Being positive involves more than what we think about. For the Christian a positive attitude encompasses our whole being. we become positive by listening to God, obediently following His directions, continually worshipping Him, and seeking His guidance.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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 all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

Prepare
What is God revealing to you about becoming a more positive person today?

Change

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me according to your word." Luke 1:38

These are Mary, the mother of Jesus', comments after the angel of the Lord visited her and told her of God's plan for her to be the mother of our Savior. When God's plans were revealed to her, Mary's plans for her future suddenly vanished before her eyes. Whatever she had envisioned for her life it would now be totally different. She had no way of knowing what this would be like for her. Did she argue with God? Did she sulk about the lack of control she had in the situation? Did she try and cling to her own plans? No. Mary humbly accepted what God had in store for her life because she knew her life belonged to God. She saw herself as God's servant. She was able to say to God, I surrender my plan for my life, and I willing accept your plan.

Prepare
Do you see yourself as God's servant? How do you respond to changes God brings to the plans you have for your life?

Jesus' Teaching on Prayer

"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
He said to them, "When you pray, say:
'Father,[a]
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.'

...
"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Luke 11:1-4, 9-13

I read this excerpt from my study bible about this passage: Prayer isn't like giving "the Santa Claus in the sky" a wish list of what you want because you've been good. And, it's not rubbing the bottle, forcing the genie to grant you 3 wishes because he's obligated. Instead, prayer is the humble recognition of your own lack and God's great ability to supply. It's the respectful, persistent pouring out of your heart's desires to the only one who can change or fulfill them. It's your expression of your longing to commune with God. Perhaps your first prayer request needs to be, "Lord, teach me to pray."

Have you ever used the Lord's prayer as a way of shaping your own prayers? I have found it a very powerful way to model my prayer for the day, following His example. If you journal when you pray it can be an excellent tool to follow, putting the prayer into your own words as you write. Try it!

If I'm being totally honest, which can be hard to be transparent and admit my lack of faith sometimes, vs. 9-10 are very hard for me. There was a time, following a tragedy in my life that I just couldn't even believe these words were in the Bible. To me it was saying that if I asked - I would receive what I asked for. So...in light of what had happened, loosing my baby after praying so hard and so much to not loose her, then God wasn't living up to this promise in scripture. But, what I have realized now is that I wasn't reading it correctly. When I now read it more carefully, it says "For everyone who asks receives" - it doesn't say what they receive. It doesn't say that they receive what they ask for OR when they ask for it. It does say that we can seek God and He will reveal Himself to us, and we will begin to know more of Him. He will meet us where we are when we seek Him, and He will open the door for a deeper relationship with Him.

Have you struggled with an understanding of prayer and viewing God as a "wish list granter" in your life? I challenge you to examine your prayer life and model your prayers after Jesus' words today.