Productivity and Prayer

Encouraging prayer, God offers an open invitation for his people to talk with him at any time about anything encouraging prayer Dr. James Banks, author of the best-selling and many other books on prayer provides weekly biblical insight help you learn to love and valve productivity and prayer.

That's a great topic they change because one of the greatest struggles many face when it comes to prayer is feeling that we just don't have the time exactly right Rob the unit we have so many things that we have to do incentives but prayer would be nice if we could just get to it. But let's face it, we have practical stuff to do and will get the prayer eventually you may be, but only after we get that stuff done and so we never get to it right. I mean, I know I've had that happen in my life. Like, oh, maybe now I guess yeah I know I know I have to and it all starts interesting. You know it all starts with the perspective that it if you really want to be productive. You have to give prayer backseat. And let's be honest that's how a lot of churches function today as well. Just look at the way. Board meetings are often held in a lot of time spent talking and and not much time is is given to praying and so were trying to do God's working in our own strength and the same thing can happen, you know, in in our own individual lives so easily. Martha, Martha, concerned about many things but one thing is needed right right.

Mary has chosen what is better, and it won't be taken from her prayer really is being in Jesus presence through prayer.

Better put really is what is better, I agree with that change. But isn't this the part of the conversation where people start quoting Martin Luther. I have so many things to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer know that it's great but I also hated the big problem. It's like telling someone just learned how to dog paddle to jump in and swim the English Channel or or go to Catalina Island. Think about it three hours that Martin Luther maybe let's let's start with something a little more doable. I I don't think that the Lord would you know all it helps to talk about the specific ways you know we find weight prayer to be productive. So when we go there. Okay so for me, one of the most amazing things about prayer is the way God plants ideas in my mind as I quiet myself before him, and I may be praying about something else I may be praying you know on my own or with others. Doesn't matter.

All of a sudden they're in the quiet before him. I get an idea that solves a problem that I'm working on in another part of my life and this is huge.

This is the thing with the productivity of prayer. It you know if this doesn't just happen every once in a while it happens all the time but but here's the thing I I have to take a little time to pray and do nothing other than just be with God for that to happen.

So it sounds like you're not praying about the problem. No, usually not at all. And that's what's amazing to me. You know you might call it that the back door of prayer you know in the front of my mind I'm I'm praising God or praying about whatever. But in the back of my mind which God was better than I do. There is this other thing that I'm dealing with trying to resolve and and that's the beauty of it, God opens up a backdoor to my mind it gives me the solution when I wasn't even dwelling on I've had that happen to its it's like he saying wow are here. Spending time together have you thought about doing this that fit exactly fly come again.

The person says he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him and some of the rewards he gives are not what were thinking about. In that moment, but there always good, so unexpected solutions to problems that you haven't come up with on your own. That's a big benefit.

What else okay other practical benefits are the things his word promises like the peace of God that surpasses all understanding which comes we present a request to him that Philippians 467 right that's a big one and giving thanks certainly a big part of that right right it's huge and we have to thank God and praise him, you know, because it helps us realize that were blessed in so many ways and most of all that were never alone.

But he's right there that he's good to us and and he draws near to us as we praising and that's a very productive thing. If you know these with you. I mean, what more you need yeah think about Moses you know or don't send me up for me here unless you go with me.

It changes everything but but in order for us to discover all of this and know his presence. We have to get practical and and we have to commit ourselves to doing this and for every step we take forward II really believe God meets us. I've seen it happen so many times in my life so I would encourage folks to not worry about the amount of time in 03 hours 15 minutes half an hour. Start with three minutes. Start with five but don't watch the clock. Just go to him lay it down. You know all those other things you have to do and just be with him, love him, love others with your prayers and resting while you there and and he will lead you in what you need to do you know if there's a sin you need to confess he'll show you will also direct your heart and mind to the things that really need your attention for that day. That's another benefit you know but but do this and you'll find yourself so much more productive.

Just just go ahead and try it. Do it for five days or even three. I guarantee you will notice a difference right away that's so true.

I'm glad we've had this discussion today. James, I think it should encourage a lot of people mean when we wrap up this idea of a prayer and will pray for God. You know that he'll give us practical ways to praying so Jesus, thank you for my friend and I thank you for his encouragement to go to a place for you Nelly I think you said the part from you. We can do nothing adverse just kind of resonates like oh ma'am, how do I get back were not apart from you and how do I get back to that place of productivity. Lord I know that all those things that James was talking about. Are there. Give us practical ways to get there show us and guide us even in the moments where we seem to be far away. Come knock on our door and and and help us to answer and I asked this in Jesus name, amen, amen. You know, really comes down to it we want to find solutions to problems and solutions to problems, and if we let them in all the different thank you hear more from Pastor James by visiting the website James Banks.org or by visiting these church in Durham, North Carolina. May God bless you and encourage you as you pray