Tuesday Talk is about YOU…
Every Tuesday we engage in one big question, topic or idea. You are invited to write in with a suggestion you want to share. I surely do not have all the answers but know that together we can generate some great conversation and have fun in the process. (Feel free to post your topics, questions, and your great thoughts in the comments below!) Together, we will stay informed and equipped about topics that matter!
Our Tuesday Talk question, How do I pray – Part 2, is answered by our blog contributor, Katie Rogers. Keep reading, you are going to LOVE this!
Pray first! Pray first! Pray first! So easily said but much more difficult to accomplish. This concept is life changing if we truly adhered to it. What would it look like if we brought God into every situation and prayed first?
It would go something like this:
Open your eyes as you lay in bed, “God please be with me as I start my day.”
Before you go to bed, “Lord please give me sweet dreams and a refreshing sleep.”
Before you pull out of your driveway, “God please save me from road rage, give those on the road safe travels and lead us to our destinations with your peace.”
In every situation we can ask God to be a part of our day. It doesn’t require long hours in prayer, it requires us to start with Him.
This past week I tried this method out. In the moments I put pray first into practice I found clarity in every moment, I had peace as I pursued decisions, made conversation and did everyday tasks. When I forgot to practice this at other moments, it lead to chaos, hurt and uncertainty. With praying first I found that my days were brighter, that I enjoyed my time with the Lord and I wanted God’s will and enjoyed it even in difficult times.
In the second sermon from the series, Prayer First, Pastor Chris Hodges from Church of the Highlands gives us some steps in order to make prayer a priority and to best build relationship with Christ.
Prayer should always be our first response, not our last resort.
1. The Priority of Prayer
When we pray first it sets the precedence of the rest of our day. I’ll worship you first saying that I couldn’t have done each step of the day without you. John 15:4-5
2. The Place of Prayer
We each need a designated spot to spend concentrated time in prayer. A prayer closet so to speak. Whether it be in your living room on a comfy couch in the quiet, in your bedroom with worship music, or wherever you can be alone without distractions.
Just like you put an appointment on your calendar put God on your calendar. Schedule it and keep your appointment with Him.
Another key to this is make sure you focus on God before you ever turn on your computer, look at your phone or any electronic that will suck you into the virtual world and distract you.
3. The Plan of Prayer
Go into prayer with some sort of plan in how you’ll pray. It helps set you up for what you’ll chat with God about. Some days you’ll follow it other days the Holy Spirit will lead you to pray in different ways.
4. The Persons of Prayer
This one is my favorite! Do you realize there are three persons of the Godhead? Do you realize that we often focus on Jesus and God but often leave out the Holy Spirit. We need complete relationship with each personality of the Godhead. Luke 11:1-2 NLT
Jesus- The amazing grace of Jesus. Jesus is our mediator. He sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf. It goes something like this, “Jesus I am really struggling with this temptation.” Jesus responds, “stop right there Katie, God Katie is struggling with this and it’s hard. I dealt with this temptation and I almost failed. Please work with her and help her.” Jesus understands each of struggles and knows how to intercede on our behalf. Jesus wanted us to have such great relationship with God that he made the ultimate sacrifice on the cross so we could fully pursue God.
God- The extravagant love of the father. We need to realize that God’s favorite name is Father. We need to set aside our earthly views of fathers that often leave us bitter and focus on the extravagant love of our heavenly Father. 2 Corinthians 13:14 MSG, Hebrews 4:15-16, 2 Corinthians 12:9
Holy Spirit- The intimate relationship of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit goes with us everywhere. Jesus and God can be accessed at any time but they don’t go with us everywhere like the Holy Spirit does. His main function is to go with us everywhere, to counsel us, encourage us and convict us. Don’t leave Him out, allow Him to accompany you all throughout your day. Ephesians 3:14, Psalms 103:8-13
Set aside your views of the Godhead and seek out the scriptures and relationship with each person of the Godhead to gain the proper views of the Godhead. When we do this it enriches our relationship with them and propels us in our life of prayer.
So once we couple how to pray the Lord’s Prayer that we learned last week and the fullness of pray first we truly enjoy our relationship with God. We not only have greater relationship with the Godhead but also with those around us.
Pursue prayer and utilize the pray first method, it will change your life.
To watch Pastor Hodges message, “Teach Us to Pray” use the link below: http://www.churchofthehighlands.com/media/message/teach-us-to-pray1
Ready to take Katie’s prayer challenge? We would love to hear what God does when you put – prayer first! We are excited to see all that God is going to do in your life! 
What do you think?