SUM 11: Day 7

Psalm 141:1-2
Connecting with God in All Situations. Sometimes when I pray, I know the only reason I’m stopping to do it is because I need something from God. I’m not trying to connect with Him. And usually, I don’t offer much to God in return.

Have you ever felt that way? Maybe you’re only praying because you really want God to come through for you on your math test you didn’t actually study for. Or maybe, you just want to get accepted into that one college. Have you ever felt like you want to pray, but God’s just not there? Or maybe He just has better things to do than listen to you. Do you ever find yourself praying only when life is difficult and stuff seems out of control? Because I do. I’m guilty of doing it a lot.

The Bible is full of people who asked God for a lot of things. When I look at the Psalms, I can see it’s obvious that King David asked for a lot. He often screamed out to God, “Where are you? Because I don’t think you’re here.” Even though King David sometimes felt like he was talking to the walls of his palace, he knew that God was always there, listening and guiding his every move. He was connecting with God.

God wants you to connect with Him, too. We have to remember to pray when times are good or bad. King David did; he let God into every aspect of his life—including when he messed things up big time. Just saying a quick prayer to tell God how awesome He is or thanking Him for a sunny day is connecting with Him. Praying while you’re doing laps in gym class or when you’re bored is connecting with Him. You don’t have to be “super spiritual” to connect with God. You just have to pray.

Pray: Tell God some of the things you’re thankful for. Ask Him to help you focus more on connecting with Him.

Do: Write God a quick note telling Him how awesome He is and why you’re thankful for Him. Keep it in your wallet as a reminder to connect with Him in every situation.

SUM 11: Day 6

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Pray Without Ceasing: What can praying without ceasing look like in our day-to-day lives? Sometimes it’s hard to remember to pray in our day-to-day lives. Our days are filled with classes, practices, recitals, studying and so much more. How can we find time to pray, let alone “without ceasing”? Sometimes I think, “Well, thanks a lot, Apostle Paul. Way to make it seem impossible. I can’t just kneel on my knees and pray all the time. How would I get anything done?”

What Paul means in his letter to the Thessalonians is quite different than what I’ve taken it to mean. I really love how the New Living Translation puts verse 17. Paul says, “Never stop praying.” So, does he mean to pray continuously without taking a
breath? Probably not.

What Paul is saying is to live a life of constant prayer and connection with God. You may not be saying an actual prayer every moment of the day, but Paul says we can live lives of prayer just by talking to God during our other activities. So, can you pray while you’re in chemistry class, bored out of your mind with molecules and electrons? Absolutely!

Paul wants us to understand that every aspect of our lives is something we can share with God. We should pray all the time, about anything and everything. We should share our excitement and our disappointment. We should tell Him our needs and thank Him for the things He’s given us. There’s no wrong way to pray without ceasing. You just have take the first step.

Pray: Tell God some of the things you’re hoping for and planning for. (Are you applying to colleges? Do you want to become a doctor? Is there something you’ve wanted to accomplish lately?) Ask Him to lead you in the right direction for these things.

Do: Make a note when you notice that you’re praying just to talk to God about something out of the ordinary. Put the note somewhere you’ll see it often.

SUM 11: Service and Notes: Day 5

Psalm 5:1-3
What can we learn about saturation praying from David?

The Bible commands us, as followers, to pray and to pray often. We can see
this through every book of the Bible, as every character of every story cries
out to praise God or to ask for His provision and guidance. We can learn from
the lives of men like King David, the apostles Paul and James, and of course,
Jesus, the Son of God.

Discussion Questions:
1. When you think of the phrase, “saturation praying,” what do you think of?
Does it seem like something that you can do?

2. Take a moment to open your Bible to the book of Psalms. Read a few of
the short chapters that you see. What sticks out most to you about the verses
you’re reading?

3. What do you think of when you hear “pray without ceasing?” How is it
possible in today’s world?

4. Read Matt. 7:7-8 and 1 Thes. 5:16-18. What do these verses have in common?

5. What can you do to live a life of “saturation praying?”

Challenge: Set an alarm to remind you to spend time talking to God this week
about your deepest thoughts. Tell Him your hopes and dreams, ask Him to
guide you in the right direction. Consider praying silent prayers