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Are we clear-minded, so we can pray?
Message
#8 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series
The apostle Peter tells us we should be "clear minded and self-controlled so that we can pray." [1 Peter 4:7] To be clear minded and self-controlled is to have the mind of Christ, the praying mind of Christ, with all our thoughts brought captive to Him.That’s not the way our minds usually work; they tend to go into overdrive when we’re not specifically concentrating on a task at hand. When we’re driving, exercising or doing anything routine, we can use the time for prayer. But it requires concentration and a willingness to deliberately remind ourselves to pray, to yield ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit. I doubt there is a single mature Christian who would say he prays as much as he wants to or feels he should. After all, we have a high and holy privilege, as priests in the royal priesthood [1 Peter 2:9], to bring others before the throne. It’s not disrespectful to do that when we’re exercising or making the bed--provided we’ve already had our quiet time with the Lord, confessing our sins, yielding our lives to Him, making sure we haven’t grieved or quenched His Spirit.Our intercessory ministry ought to be with us as constantly and effortlessly as breathing. When it is, it is remarkable how many prayers we can pray as we move through the day. It’s really not an option, if we’re to pray without ceasing.
Pray with me now -- Lord, bring all our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, so that our prayers will come as naturally as breathing. We ask in His name, amen.
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