Paul says we should “devote” ourselves to prayer and be “watchful” in prayer. Our persistence is an expression of our faith that God will answer our prayers in His time. Faith shouldn’t die if the answers come slowly or seemingly not at all. When you feel tired of praying, know that God is ever present in times of need, always listening to the petitions of His children. He always answers, but perhaps not in ways we would hope, but certainly in ways that He knows is best.

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Questions for further thought:
1. In what areas have you grown tired of praying?

2. What has been the result?   


Challenge: Practice persistence in prayer and see what God does. He is faithful!

Have you ever heard this? I hope that God sees me as good enough to go to Heaven. However, we don’t have to “hope.” John says we can “know” we have eternal life with God. Our certainty comes from an understanding that is has nothing to do with us and everything to do with Him! God’s promise of eternal life comes through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ to save. The neat thing about Christianity is that it is inclusive in that it is available to everyone; however it is exclusive in that it is only available to those who have put their trust and faith in Jesus Christ alone. (John 14:6) It comes down to two religions really; the religion of human achievement or the religion of divine accomplishment. Which one will you choose?


Questions for further thought:
1. When have I been tempted to put my trust in myself for my salvation?

2. Why does this seem to be the prevailing thought of our culture today?


Challenge: Practice communicating with God in prayer not demanding what you want, but rather discuss with Him what He wants for you. Wait expectantly as He starts working.

We cannot spend all of our times on our knees, but it is possible to have a prayerful attitude at all times. This attitude is built upon acknowledging our dependence on God, realizing His presence within us, and determining to obey Him fully. Then we will find it natural to pray frequent, spontaneous, short prayers. A prayerful attitude is not a substitute for regular times of concentrated prayer, but is actually an outgrowth of those times.
 

Questions for further thought:
1. How have you responded to the temptation to stop praying? 

2. What did you learn as a result of dealing with this temptation?


Challenge: Share about a time you were tempted to quit praying with a trusted friend. Also, talk about the times when you persevered in prayer. How were those times different?

Imagine never being anxious about anything. Seems like a far off pipe dream at times; perhaps even impossibility. We have worries at work, at home, and at school. But Paul’s advice is to turn our worries into prayers; to make it not just what we do, but a pattern of how we live.


Questions for further thought:
1. Consider your prayer life. Is prayer more of an action you do or a way that you live?

2. Why do you think that is?


Challenge:Do you want to worry less? Then the antidote is to pray more. Whenever you are prone to worry, stop and pray! 

This verse is sometimes thought to teach that Jesus is directing us to only pray in private. However, that could not be true as Jesus’ own practice included both private and public prayer. It appears that Jesus is more aptly drawing attention to the motives behind the action. The point was not to choose between private and public prayer, but between heartfelt and hypocritical prayer. When asked to pray in public, focus on addressing God, not on how you’re coming across to others. 
 

Questions for further thought:
1. How easy or difficult is it for you to pray?

2. Why do you think that is?


Challenge: Jesus asks us to find a quiet and secluded place to experience God’s presence. Find that time in your day and be bold to pray with power.

In researching this topic about living in the present moment I read something that seems like it would be very helpful. Whenever you feel you are drifting and unfocused ask yourself “Where are my feet?” I love the simplicity of this question and that it helps me to use my body to anchor myself in the present moment. So, when I catch my mind wandering away from the present and being caught up in anxious feelings, I will remember to ask myself “Where are my feet?”


Questions for further thought:
1. Do you already have a method of bringing yourself to the present when needed?

2. If so, what is it and could it possibly help someone else around you?   


​Challenge: Let this quote be something that can help you remember what a blessing it is to live in the present moment. 

I read a quote in a devotional of mine from Father Thomas Keating. He said “God is only in the present moment.” That seems to almost go against what we have been taught. I mean we know God was with us yesterday and promises to be with us tomorrow and forever and even goes before us. But He is only fully present to us in the present moment. We cannot go back in time or go forward into tomorrow as God can.


Questions for further thought:
1. Has this thought ever crossed your mind?

2. Why is living in the present so difficult? 


​Challenge:  Think about which might be harder for you. Living in the past or living in the future. 

There is a well known (to some) R.E.M song called “Stand.” The first few lyrics go “Stand in the place where you live. Now face north, think about direction, wonder why you haven't before.” I read that R.E.M’s underlying message in this song is about becoming aware and involved in the places you are at this very moment of your life. The Lead singer-song writer of the band was quoted saying “It’s about making decisions and actually living your life rather then letting it happen.” It’s important that we make the most of where we are at this moment in our lives rather then becoming distracted by where we are hoping to be someday.
 

Questions for further thought:
1. Is it hard to focus on where God has placed you in this season of life? 

2. Does wanting to be somewhere else in life (different job, location etc..) keep you from getting involved with where you are placed at this moment? 


​Challenge: Think of one way to do something to make a difference with where you are placed at this time.  

If you are anything like I am you have had times in life where you want to schedule and organize your life for the foreseeable future. I buy new planners or notebooks, make new spreadsheets about what I will tackle next week, next month or next year. Then life changes happen. There is a call from the doctor about a medical diagnosis, a loved one has an accident and it’s a slow recovery or a family member needs you suddenly to care for them for a while. This makes us slow down majorly. It puts our future plans on hold and makes us live day by day and sometimes hour by hour. During these times in our lives we are reminded that this is how God has intended us to live. He did not write our lives out year by year but moment by moment. 


Questions for further thought:
1. Is planning for the future taking you away from the moments you are in now?

​2. What is an example of a life event that made you slow down? 


Challenge: Pray for those this week who have had circumstances slow them down that they may see the value in living moment by moment. 

You often hear actors and actresses being taught to “live in the moment” when they are rehearsing their scenes. That means they need to be committed to listening, feeling and being directly committed to the emotions of what is happening in that exact moment in that scene. Not over-thinking what the next lines or stage movements will be and rushing through.  Real life is much the same way, it is hard for us to focus in the “moment” because we are concerned about what comes next or even dwelling on things from the past. If we are going to enjoy all life has to offer, we need to be where God is - He is in the “now.” So, live in the moment, focus on what God is doing now and put your hope in what He will do in the future.
 

Questions for further thought:
1. Do you tend to focus more on things of the past or future? 

2. What would “living in the moment” look like for you? 


​Challenge:  Try to spend a little time in solitude each day this week to seek God, breathe and live in the moment.