Earlier today on Bellshill Salvation Army Band’s Facebook page I shared some devotions. I’d like to share those devotions with you tonight.
Spending time with God is an important part of being a Christian. Therefore to build our relationship with God, we must make time…but when and how much time should we pray?
There is no right or wrong time to pray, and there’s no specific length of time we must pray, as all that’s important is that we pray!
There are however some occasions or situations that trigger our desire to pray. Here’s just a few of them.
- At the start of the day, to ask God to be with us, and guide us through all situations during the day.
Early in the morning, Jesus got up, left the house while it was still dark outside, and went to a deserted place to pray.
Mark 1:35 (The Voice)
- When we are thankful.
Give thanks to God the Father every day through the name of our Lord Jesus the Anointed for all He has done.
Ephesians 5:20 (The Voice)
- When we are in need of strength.
But those who trust in the Eternal One will regain their strength.
Isaiah 40:31 (The Voice)
They will soar on wings as eagles.
They will run—never winded, never weary.
They will walk—never tired, never faint.
- When others are in need.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
James 5:16 (NIV)
A song you may be familiar with is ‘Sweet hour of prayer’. I find the words of this song remind me of several of those situations just mentioned, which cause me to pray.
I pray we may each be challenged to pray on daily basis – not just to give thanks to God for his faithfulness to us, but also to pray for his presence in every situation and circumstance we may find ourselves in.
Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne Make all my wants and wishes known; In seasons of distress and grief My soul has often found relief, And oft escaped the tempter’s snare By thy return, sweet hour of prayer. Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, Thy wings shall my petition bear To him whose truth and faithfulness Engage the waiting soul to bless; And since he bids me seek his face, Believe his word, and trust his grace, I’ll cast on him my every care And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer. Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer, May I thy consolation share, Till from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height I view my home, and at the sight Put off this robe of flesh, and rise To gain the everlasting prize, And realise for ever there The fruits of the sweet hour of prayer.
The Distinct Dot 