Living on a prayer (1)

When it comes to our prayer time, there are so many things that can hinder it: lack of time, unexpected crises, unwanted distractions, sudden temptations, unsettling thoughts. We are all prone to prayer hinderances; even legends of the faith had intrusions that got in the way of their prayer life.

So what to do? 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 CEV says, 'We destroy arguments and every bit of pride that keeps anyone from knowing God. We capture people's thoughts and make them obey Christ.' What does this look like in practice? If we're praying and find an unhelpful thought sneaking up (whether it's evil, something tempting or just plain distracting), let's mentally point at it, and say, 'No, thought, in Jesus' name, I'm taking you captive! I'm talking to God right now!' If it helps us imagine it getting caught in a bubble and put to one side, let's do that.

We don't have to fight our thoughts, we can just tell them that Jesus is Lord and then thank Jesus that his ways are better, purer, higher and victorious. Jesus is not sitting across from us tapping his watch, frowning, when we're dealing with a distraction. Let's 'capture' the unhelpful thought and turn our focus to Jesus - he's so much more powerful.



So what now? Sometime today, spend time in prayer seeking God and his Kingdom. Relax with him, knowing he's with you. When distractions pop up, take them captive. If it's an important thought for later, jot it down and go back to it after you've prayed.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Seek first the Kingdom of God.' Matthew 6:33 NKJV
— SOULFOOD —

Deut 8-10, Matt 7:1-14, Ps 37:16-24, Pro 11:30-31