What is great prayer?

There is a song that goes back to my teen years, at least. The most memorable part of it was "everybody talkin' about heaven ain't goin' there, heaven, heaven, gonna walk all over God's heaven." Somehow that comes back to my mind as we think about today's theme. I am fairly sure that "everybody talkin' about prayin' ain't doin' it."

And I have to admit that at times I'm one of those. "I'll be praying for you," I say. I often do. I always mean to. But good intentions don't always materialize, and I'm off to another project, or meeting, or conversation; and the praying doesn't get done. There is a sense in which all of life is a prayer, for the Christian, who intends to live out life under God's eye (and in God's hearing); but that's not a valid excuse. I either have to ration my promises or ramp up my praying.

We take prayer requests in classes and groups. We read the excellent communication from the prayer-line that Llyle and Maxine Barker pass along just about every day. Colleagues at work ask us to pray for family members. There are worried, injured, ill, and conflicted friends, people that we love and really care about, who ask us to partner with them in prayer.

May we suggest:

• Often it may be good to pray with someone right on the spot.
• When you promise to pray, don't just make a mental note. Make a physical note.
• Select from a longer list of concerns a few that will really be the focus of your prayer time — and others from the list tomorrow.
• Set aside a regular time. It doesn't always take long minutes for worthy praying. The appointment, a place, and a commitment will please God, energize you, and bless many others.