The Praying Games
"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take...." We all remember this childhood prayer, right? Then, we would continue on like this..."God bless mommy, bless daddy, my sister and brother, bless grandma, and grandpa, and everybody in the world"! Raise your hand if this was your prayer as a child.
This very popular prayer was universal among children. It was easy to learn, and it ensured that we said our prayers every night. I wonder how many adults still recite this prayer. Thinking they are getting a prayer through, when really they're just doing something out of habit. When I was a child, I spake as a child...(1 Corinthian 13:11)
As an adult who desires to pray for as many people as possible, I have created a few “prayer games” to ensure that I am interceding for others, even those I don't know at all. Don't get all deep on me, talking about how games are for kids, that prayer is serious, and should not be a game. Give me a minute to explain. My objective is to be helpful. My hope is that those of you reading this today has the same desire I have. The desire to be able to pray for others,even total strangers.
The first game I want you to participate in is the Facebook and Twitter Prayer Game. It's simple; just post to your twitter news feed and/or your Facebook status these simple words; “I'M PRAYING FOR YOU”. Go back and check periodically to see who left a comment or who may have “liked” your status. Those are the people you put on your list to intercede for that day. Be open and let the Lord use you. Go boldly before the throne for someone else, and watch how God blesses you. Not to mention, the feeling it gives you to know that you are a blessing someone else.
Have you ever been driving in your car and your favorite song comes on the radio? You just can’t help yourself, you HAVE to sing it. Of course, you are in your own space, with no thought of the outside world. That urge hits and your mini concert begins. Face all messed up, head moving from side to side, hands clapping, and fingers snapping. I mean you are really getting into it!! Then there's that awkward moment when you realize that several people have spotted you in your spontaneous concert! Most people are embarrassed when they're caught. Not me! I just keep on jamming. They don't know what I sound like, and I certainly am not going to let them kill my groove! Have you ever been driving in your car and praying? I don't mean a private little quiet, in your mind prayer. I'm talking about an all-out, going in prayer!? Praying in the spirit and all!
When I'm going forth in this manner and other commuters spot me, I can tell they think I may be talking to myself, or maybe even talking on a Bluetooth. Whatever they think I'm doing, I can tell they think I may be a little crazy. Here is game #2, Auto Prayer. The next time you are in your car, begin to pray out loud. Begin to pray as you normally would. Every so often I want you to look around to see who may be looking at you like you've lost your mind. Instead of getting shy and allowing the moment to be “awkward”, give that person a smile and begin to intercede for that person. Ask God to give them safe travel to their destination, and that they find things well when they get there. Pray for their family, health and finance. Most importantly, pray for their soul. Pray that if they don't know Jesus in the pardon of their sins that they come to know Him. It doesn't take much, and you don't have to know any specifics about that person. Think about how many people you will have prayed for. Who knows, you may be the only person praying for them at all.
If you will excuse me, I'm about to play a Praying Game! Won't you join me?
Oh yeah, leave me a comment letting me know how you did! These games you can't lose at all.
TC!