Called To Pray
Episode 22
What is your second half calling? Even if you don't know yet, I can guarantee there is one thing you are absolutely called to do. As women who love Jesus and love our families we must figure out how to effectively and consistently pray. How can you move from thinking about prayer to actually praying?
Show Notes
It’s 2021! I bet you already knew that. But can you believe it?
Last episode: What if 2021 isn’t any better than 2020?
No matter what happens, we need an action plan. Where are we called in such days? I’m kicking off the New Year talking about the calling I think matters more than any other in our lives.
Before I get specific, I want to make clear: I think EVERY believer is CALLED.
I didn’t used to think this. I thought only special people were called. Full time ministers. Missionaries. Evangelists. Only special people. And apparently I wasn’t special. I don’t think this any more.
We all have callings. More than one. I’ve been called to many areas of ministry in my life.
My main ministry for my adult life has been my family. Focusing on home and children was a calling. That meant it was hard, it was spiritual work, it had eternal consequences. And, because of that, when I didn’t want to do it anymore, I remembered: I’m CALLED. This work is therefore HOLY. And NOT optional.
Now, in the second half of my life (or my third third; or my fourth quarter - take your pick) I’m CALLED to new areas. It doesn’t mean I’m no longer CALLED to my home ministry and to my family. But there are new places I’m to serve.
Everyone is called to …
This I was called to during my family ministry season, and is a call that remains. It is the CALL to prayer. If you believe in Jesus, you’re called to this too.
If you wonder where I get that from, it is not that prayer is listed as a calling directly. But we are commanded to pray repeatedly.
In the ESV, the words Pray, Prayer, Praying, Prayed, Prayers occur 162 times in the Old Testament, and 151 times in the New Testament. What I have not yet counted are words like ask, cry out, supplication, plead, give thanks, all prayer words. And many of the Psalms are songs of prayer.
Prayer permeates Scripture. Does it permeate our lives?
Jeremiah 29:12-13 - Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Are you worried that you have to earn a hearing? That you need to get your act together before you pray?
Psalm 102:1, 17 - A Prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you! ... 17 he regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their prayer.
Psalm 66:19 - But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Jesus gives us this exhortation.
Matthew 5:43-44 - "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
How do we do that? Jesus instructs us.
Matthew 6:6-7 - But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
We also have this:
Luke 18:1 - And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
Want some more evidence?
These commands are to everyone. Not just a few.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Romans 12:12 - Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Now I want to shift. As women in the second half of life, our prayer lists are long. Our husbands. Our parents. Our children. Our grandchildren. We are the ham in the sandwich of multiple needs.
But if you’re like me, it’s not just my immediate family that I see that needs my prayers. Our world seems to have tilted off its axis. I KNOW the Lord is still on His throne, but the evil and falsehood of man seems to be gaining ground every day.
Honestly, it is discouraging.
When I feel powerless and hopeless, I recall this instruction:
Ephesians 6:18 - praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
This is a Command
This is the action AFTER we are told to put on all the armor
Ephesians 6:10 starts naming the armor and instructs us to put it on. The only action besides suiting up is to stand.
THEN in verse 18, we’re given the battle plan.
PRAYING AT ALL TIMES
If you don’t yet know what your second half calling is, don’t worry. Jesus won’t leave you confused. He will direct you to His work for you.
BUT- I guarantee you part of it is to PRAY. At all times. Unceasingly.
But we need to be talking Him about it. And that is exactly what prayer is. It can be hard work.
Colossians 4:12 - Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
The more I’ve studied prayer the more I’ve seen how vital and active and constant it is.
Why I wrote Unceasing: A Parent’s Guide to Conquer Worry and Pray with Power. I learned in the trenches of parenthood that I could either worry (in all its ugly forms) or I could pray.
I couldn’t do both at the same time.
If you’re wondering how to get started praying, I invite you to buy my book and dive into the adventure. There’s so much scriptural support, and I include application verses after each chapter.
These are affiliate links for the book purchase.
Also, I have a new gift for signing up for my email list. It’s titled, 5 Prayers For My Adult Kids. Just sign up in the form below and you will receive an email with your access to the short ebook. It has 5 specific subjects to pray for with scripture to directly pray for that subject.
And come back to the podcast next week. All of January will be a concentration on our call to prayer.
Don’t worry about doing it right.. Talk to Jesus. That’s what prayer is. So, pray. Pray some more. Keep praying.