Unsplash\/Jon Tyson<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWe hear it all the time. It\u2019s become part of our lingo, and we don\u2019t even realize we\u2019re saying it. Pastors, businessmen, parents, teachers, coaches, athletes and even FCA staff are all guilty of uttering these four words:<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s pray real quick.\u201d<\/p>\n
The underlying message of saying, \u201clet\u2019s pray real quick\u201d is \u201cbefore we get to the important stuff, let\u2019s rush through the God stuff.\u201d It becomes a rote habit that bypasses our heart. Real quick prayer helps us look spiritual, but it lacks power. Connecting with God can\u2019t be rushed. God must think, \u201cThere they go again! I wish they wouldn\u2019t think of Me as a ritual or a rabbit\u2019s foot that they can rub for good luck before they start their work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quick prayers happen everywhere. We have a quick word of prayer in the locker room, board room, church and home. It has permeated our entire Christian culture. I am still waiting for the pastor to get up on a Sunday morning and say, \u201cWe have so many needs, concerns and issues that we need God to intervene. So, let\u2019s have a long word of prayer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin Luther was once asked what his plans for the following day were, and he answered: \u201cWork, work, from early until late. In fact, I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.\u201d The busier he got, the more he prayed. In today\u2019s world, that is counterintuitive. When we get busy, we reduce or eliminate our time with the Lord. Maybe that is why we are okay with a quick word of prayer. We have short prayers privately, so it becomes publicly acceptable. But prayer was never intended to be confined to saying a blessing before a meal, asking for a win before a game, or quickly pausing before starting a meeting. Prayer is an all-day deal.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, we get upset with those who pray too long. They love to pray, but we grow antsy and frustrated when they go on and on. Our hearts grow hard toward those people, but in reality, our hearts are growing hard toward God. Instead of seeking and pursuing more prayer with a heart of joy, we look for the quick and easy prayer so we can check it off the list and get on with the day. We know prayer is important enough to do it, but not important enough to clear the schedule and make it a priority. Virtually everything else is allowed to crowd out at that time.<\/p>\n
Prayer needs to be the driving force in our lives. It\u2019s our greatest weapon, but I\u2019m not sure we actually believe this is true. We need to move from mini prayers to mighty prayers, short prayers to long prayers, and shallow prayers to deep prayers.<\/p>\n
Developing this discipline takes time; at first, you may get easily distracted by the tasks ahead of you or your worries. But find a quiet place, play worship music and even kneel. Try a physical posture that improves your ability to focus. Try writing your prayers in a journal or praying through the Lord\u2019s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13).<\/p>\n
Continuous, nonstop prayer is the answer. In 2 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul encourages us to pray without ceasing. He sees prayer as a conversation. He tells us to always keep the lines of communication open with the Father, in every circumstance. Paul\u2019s encouragement is for us to have a life of prayer. Jesus frequently got away to pray. He told us to stay connected to the vine \u2014 which is where we get every nutrient for life. He took the time to listen and hear from God. His prayer time wasn\u2019t rushed; it was intentional, patient and purposeful.<\/p>\n
I learned the power of prayer firsthand in 2007 when I took my first trip to South Korea and quickly learned they lived out 2 Thessalonians 5:17. When they said, \u201clet\u2019s pray,\u201d it was time to hunker in. It wasn\u2019t just a quick blessing, rather, it was a time to communicate, connect and commune with the God of the Universe. I was so convicted of my shallow prayer life. During our time there, we ran an FCA Sports Camp, and I witnessed an 8-year-old camper crying out to the Lord for hours. I was so moved that I returned home with a renewed passion and commitment to the discipline of prayer!<\/p>\n
Our lives should be one continuous prayer. Remember: We shouldn\u2019t just pray for the work. Prayer is the work. It\u2019s our foundation and our covering. It\u2019s our first response, not our last resort. Great prayer matures a competitor, and a great competitor matures in prayer.<\/p>\n
Be quick to pray, not to pray quickly. Let\u2019s have a long word of prayer.<\/p>\n