There are times that I truly enjoy journaling my prayers and the prayer requests I am praying for. However, there are other times that I feel reading and writing my prayers have become a method and I find myself…well…bored.

One morning Diane Hunt and I were praying together at staff prayer. Diane began to pray for the provision of a car for Dina Seaton. After praying that request Diane realized that was a prayer request from the day before. She was quick to apologize for praying “off the wrong page.” I had not been at staff prayer the day before and did not know of Dina’s need for a car. But I knew that my brother-in-law had a car for sale. After our time of prayer I saw Dina. I told her I knew of a car for sale. My brother-in-law had a Honda Civic he was selling. Dina laughed saying she had been praying for a Honda! Later in the day Jack emailed pictures showing a vehicle in good condition for a good price. Although it was dark green and not black it seemed to us that God was providing! About a week later Dina and I went to see the car and she was able to purchase it. It was apparent that the Lord was leading Diane so that I would hear this request and be able to be part of what the Lord was providing for Dina.

I share this to say that, yes we can get ourselves into a prayer rut by saying the same things over and over, but structure can be good. Writing requests and prayers helps me remember. But there is much to say about praying “off the wrong page.” Surely the Holy Spirit was working through Diane to pray for Dina so that I would know of her need. Regardless of what encourages us to pray, the important thing is that the Holy Spirit leads us and puts on our hearts the things we should be praying for. We should never be so structured in our prayers that we are not sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. We should never be so sloppy in our prayers that we just “bless the missionaries” all day. Go ahead….write your prayers, pray through a list but always remain open to be praying for what the Lord wants you to pray for. Sometimes we don’t need to write or read we simply just need to listen and just pray!

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess. 5:16-18

These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:13

Blessings,

Kathy Withers

Kathy’s on staff at America’s KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 27 years.  They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local Church and has taught Sunday School and Bible Studies for women. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.