Way #9: Pray First and Pray Again

 
PRAY FIRST AND PRAY AGAIN. Ask first for God’s guidance and blessing in everything you do.  Through prayer, ask for wisdom and for God’s will to be done.  Pray for others as well, that God’s love and blessing would be revealed to them in good times and in bad. 
 
a Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3: 5-6) 
 
b ”May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6: 10)
 
c Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. (Ephesians 6: 18)
 
Ideas for Action: On your next walk, run, or in your quiet time, intentionally pray for neighbors, other churches, schools, EMTs, police and fire personnel, and local officials. If you’re stalled in your prayer life, reach out to one of the pastors or a member of the Prayer Team for a suggestion.
 

 

Daily Devotionals

 
MONDAY:
 
THINK God will direct our paths. Like the pillars of fire and cloud  through the wilderness, God will lead the way. God led Pharaoh through dreams, Abraham  through angels, prophets through insight, and that same Spirit of the living God dwells in each  one of us.​ Pray First and Pray Again because you are not alone, but the Holy Spirit is with you and  will guide you wherever you go. ​
PRAY You would see the Spirit’s leadership this week.
Tuesday:
 
THINK We can become of the opinion that when there is nothing  else to do, we can pray. Ephesians carries a different connotation. Like a night watchman, we  must keep alert. Prayer is not the last ditch effort; it is the first line of defense against the enemy.  Be alert and ​Pray First and Pray Again because the devil prowls like a lion waiting to devour.
PRAY:  for a sister or brother Christian whose faith is struggling.
Wednesday:
 
THINK This prayer is our hope that this world become more  and more as God would will it. We pray that our actions and our kingdoms begin to mirror God’s  kingdom as they were intended. It might feel so far from reality that it isn’t worth praying, but  God is about the work of renewing this world. ​Pray First and Pray Again because God’s kingdom  takes time, but it is worth it.
​PRAY For this world to begin to look like God’s Kingdom.
Thursday:
 
THINK Do you know the shepherd’s voice? You can learn to  discern God’s nature in Scripture, but you can only know his ways through intimate relationship.  When you ​Pray First and Pray Again, you learn how God works in this world and in your life. In  short, you learn his voice. ​
PRAY you would hear God’s voice.
Friday:
 
THINK Two words: pray continually. Prayer is not the space  between “Dear God” and “Amen.” A life lived in relationship to God is prayer. Raise silent praises  or petitions to him wherever you go. ​Pray First and Pray Again so you can seek his presence in  everything you do.
​PRAY without saying amen, so that you remember to pray continually.
Saturday:
 
THINK Prayer rightly orients work in your life. When we pray or  when we sabbath, we acknowledge that there is a greater power than us. We pray, not because  we are out of options, but because for God, all things are possible. Don’t worry about what you can or can’t do, ​Pray First and Pray Again and find that God is active and willing. ​
PRAY through  your anxieties and acknowledge that God is in control.

Devotional Guides

SERIES ONE  Printable copy of Way #9 Devotionals (Small Group Guide)
 
SERIES TWO Printable copy of Way #9 Devotionals (Series Two)