During my prayer time I am often amazed at how many things can so easily distract me. Sometimes the thoughts are good thoughts, like things I need to do today, but they are still a distraction from my prayer time. Prayer is so important that I have learned to focus and deal with the distractions quickly. But nothing seems to keep them from coming.
Many years ago a wise preacher by the name of Preacher Hallock, in the little book Meditation and Prayer, described four main hindrances to effective praying. He said these hindrances were: Wandering thoughts, impure thoughts, sleepiness, and doubts that prayer can do anything. As I have studied prayer over the years I have come to appreciate this list of distractions that certainly hinder prayer.
In Matthew 6 Jesus talked about prayer and gave another list of hindrances. His list also included distractions. Jesus said, “But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret.” (Matt. 6:6) Rather than list everything that distracts us, Jesus gave us a cure for them.
Where do you go when you pray? Where is your focus? What is getting the attention of your senses? Where are your thoughts? You cannot pray in a busy place. Jesus did not restrict that to physical, mental, or spiritual. He included them all. When we pray we need to be in a place that is free from distractions. We need a place where we can hear God speaking.
God is always speaking. Our ears are always listening. But distractions can keep us from hearing, and from understanding what we hear. If our thoughts are wandering we may hear only part of what is said and misunderstand what others say, including God.
Other religions wonder how to get God’s attention. Some ring bells, sing songs, or make some other kind of noise. Some in the Bible were known to cut themselves or do something strange to get God’s attention. Others pay attention to the wording of their prayers as if the formula of the words can turn God’s ear.
The Word of our God says, “God so loved…” (John 3:16). We have His attention. The challenge for us now is to give all our attention to God. There is the power of prayer.
Bro. Robin
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Smalltalk
This is that time of the year when we wish the weather would make up its mind. It occurred to me recently that if it were not for the weather, politics, and religion most of us would have nothing to talk about. We all like to talk about things that are important to us with people who agree with us. Smalltalk is the art of talking about nothing. Much is said, but nothing is changed.
Conversation can be our most important activity of the day. Even Smalltalk can tell us about more about each other and help grow our relationships. As you have heard me say many times before, there is no substitute for time spent in a relationship, even if that time is spent doing Smalltalk.
Conversation can also change things. Conversation can repair a broken relationship if the right things are said from an open and forgiving heart. If fact, it is impossible to repair a broken relationship without the right kind of communication. Conversation that has substance is also conversation that has heart, feelings, and honesty said with the right amount of sensitivity. It is the most difficult and potentially risky conversation you will have with another person. But it can also become the most valuable and treasured time you will ever spend with the great long term benefit of a restored relationship.
A restored relationship is a revived relationship. This is what Revival is all about. We sing the old song, “Have a little talk with Jesus,” but do we think about those words? The right conversation with another person can restore a friendship with lasting benefits. The right conversation with God can restore a relationship with eternal benefits.
When was the last time you sat down and had a heart to heart with a friend you have not seen in a while? When was the last time you had a similar heart to heart with God. The Bible says, “There is a friend who stays closer than a brother.” (Pr. 18:24)
Cut the small talk. Take the time today to have not just a little talk but a real conversation with Jesus. Revive the most important relationship in your life. You will be amazed at the difference His amazing grace can make in your life.
Bro. Robin
Conversation can be our most important activity of the day. Even Smalltalk can tell us about more about each other and help grow our relationships. As you have heard me say many times before, there is no substitute for time spent in a relationship, even if that time is spent doing Smalltalk.
Conversation can also change things. Conversation can repair a broken relationship if the right things are said from an open and forgiving heart. If fact, it is impossible to repair a broken relationship without the right kind of communication. Conversation that has substance is also conversation that has heart, feelings, and honesty said with the right amount of sensitivity. It is the most difficult and potentially risky conversation you will have with another person. But it can also become the most valuable and treasured time you will ever spend with the great long term benefit of a restored relationship.
A restored relationship is a revived relationship. This is what Revival is all about. We sing the old song, “Have a little talk with Jesus,” but do we think about those words? The right conversation with another person can restore a friendship with lasting benefits. The right conversation with God can restore a relationship with eternal benefits.
When was the last time you sat down and had a heart to heart with a friend you have not seen in a while? When was the last time you had a similar heart to heart with God. The Bible says, “There is a friend who stays closer than a brother.” (Pr. 18:24)
Cut the small talk. Take the time today to have not just a little talk but a real conversation with Jesus. Revive the most important relationship in your life. You will be amazed at the difference His amazing grace can make in your life.
Bro. Robin
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