“To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us. If we are unwilling to change, we will abandon prayer as a noticeable characteristic of our lives. The closer we come to the heartbeat of God the more we see our need and the more we desire to be conformed to Christ.” —Richard Foster (Celebration of Discipline)

“If your heart hungers for souls to be saved and your nation to be turned to God…then the life of prayer is a must.” —Paul Y. Cho (Prayer: Key to Revival)

We all want to live a life that carries meaning and purpose. We want to see our family thrive in every season regardless of what may come. We want to hear God’s voice and be lead in the right direction for our life. We all desire this. However, intentions are not actions.

It can also be true that we all want these things right now, instantaneously. We want to snap our fingers, say a word, press the button, and it happen exactly as we desire it. This is often a false reality. This is often how we view and see prayer. If I say the magic words then it should happen, right?

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. ~ James 5:13-16

Prayer, as Richard Foster notes, is the central avenue God uses to transform us and to be changed for the better. This does not occur in an instant moment, but in a gradual, habitual lifestyle of prayer. To pray is to seek God’s heart. To pray is to confess your sins, and share your heart with God. To pray is also to listen and focus on God’s voice through His word.

Where do we find a life that carries meaning and purpose? It’s found in moments of prayer. How do we see our families thrive, persevere, and overcome in every season? It is done through moments of prayer. How do we hear God’s voice and find direction for our life? We hear him in moments of prayer.

The Apostle James understood that, “The earnest prayers of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (5:16b) Prayer is the fuel to a greater spiritual life. It is the difference between life and death in your spirit. Prayer is the power and the key that unlocks victory in your life.

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

Reflection Question:

What do I need to give to God today in prayer?

All throughout the Bible we are encouraged to run this race called life. But not to just run, to run well. The healthiest of runners are those who find their rhythm with a steady pace. Pace is the determining factor for finishing well or giving up.

Most people don’t wake up each day with a desire to give up, but there are times where we all wrestle with HOW to keep moving forward. Today may have been one of those days for you. How can I get through this day without giving up and losing myself? We have to find our rhythm.

The Apostle Paul teaches us that we are in a race, but not a race against one another. We are in a race running to the finish line of life, and we all want to finish well.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

How Do I Find Rhythm and Maintain Endurance So That I Can Finish Well?

Stop Doing so Much Stuff

It is so easy for us to fall into the trap of doing, leading, and participating in so many things that we lose ourselves. We lose sight of our purpose and goals in attempting to do everything, and the truth is we aren’t good to anyone as a counterfeit version of ourselves. We get caught up in the instant gratification of every new thing, and then realize we did not enjoy any of it because we were focused on the next best thing. Spend time doing things that matter most.

Establish a Rhythm of Rest

An old-time preacher once said, “Sometimes, one of the most spiritual things you can do is take a nap.” Whatever your pace in life may be, it will require rest. Rest will either be forced upon you because you have burnt out and have nothing left to give OR you have set aside time to relax, to be with family, and to enjoy life. You get to decide. There is a reason why God established the Sabbath Day as a Day of Rest. It is God’s desire that we take time to rest.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ~ Hebrews 12:1

Remember, the goal of this life is not to just finish life quickly and in a hurry, but to finish life well. The Apostle Paul urges us to run with endurance that we may obtain the prize.

Reflection Question:

What do I need to stop in my next season?

We all come to moments and seasons in our life where it’s time to start something new. Sometimes these seasons come by design and the choices we have made, other times they come because of circumstances outside our control. Whether it is starting a new walk of life in Christ, a new business or job role, marriage, or new school year, a season of new beginnings gives us the opportunity to take steps of faith and start fresh.

Starting something new can be a difficult task especially if it is out of your comfort zone. Our faith can be tested in extreme highs and lows and learning how to walk out this new way of life can be met with adversity. There are questions that come to our minds in these seasons such as: How do I actually live a life centered on Jesus? How do I learn this new position? How do I have a healthy marriage? How can I lead my kids in this next school year?

Amidst all the questions and uncertainties, the Apostle Paul and the Prophet Isaiah understood something about God when it comes to facing new seasons. They understood that God is a path-maker. We need Him to set the new direction.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. ~ Isaiah 43:19

Isaiah told the people that God was doing something new in the land and that He was going to make a pathway through the wilderness and create rivers in dry places. Isaiah trusted that no matter what was happening in the world, God had a way of making a path for those who trust Him.

It can feel as though we are in new territory and a new way of doing life however, if we put our trust in God, He will make a path for us. The Apostle Paul understood that when we trust in Jesus Christ, the old life passes away and we walk into newness. In other words, God’s got this!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

Step into this new season fully trusting and believing that God will make a pathway and order our steps according to His purposes.

Reflection Question:

What is new in my life that I can trust God with?