Task Prayer

James 5:17

Elijah was a man just like us.
He prayed earnestly that it would not rain,
and it did not rain on the land
for three and a half years.

There is fellowship prayer. There is task prayer. Both are important forms of prayer.

Task prayer is terrific labor and takes much energy.

It is closest to intercessory prayer.

It is a very focused prayer about an intense need.

Here are some characteristics of task prayer:

• It has a clear goal; it is very focused.
• It uses simple words.
• It mobilizes all the emotion in our heart.
• It is persistent (Luke 18:1-8).
  

When we have an intense need, we will usually practice task prayer.

Oh God, help me to have
the faith, persistence and emotion
of Elijah when I pray.

Effective Prayer

Joshua 1:1–9

God made some extravagant promises to Joshua. He knew that Joshua would face fierce enemies and overwhelming obstacles and therefore would need to remember these assurances in tough times.

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We too need to be able to hang on to God’s promises.

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Praying Scripture back to God is a valuable tool to assist us in our spiritual growth — “reminding” Him of His promises, as it’s sometimes called.

Repeating the assurances of God’s Word in prayer elevates and guides our requests.

By praying God’s words back to Him, we have assurance that we are praying effectively.

Let us remind God of His promises!

Remember History

Deuteronomy 1:1–2:23

Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it.

Here, Moses reviewed the history of the wanderings of Israel for a new generation poised to enter the Promised Land.

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Moses reminded them that their parents had rebelled against the Lord.

Moses reminded them that their parents had missed out on the promises of God.

Moses reminded them that their parents had been condemned to die in the wilderness.

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God’s punishment can be avoided if we remember our history.

It was not just for the Israelites who were about to enter the Promised Land.

It is also for everyone who heeds God’s message.

Remember Your History!

Dead And Hidden In Christ

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
(Colossians 3:3)

Christians do not need to fear and plead for their own cause.

They are dead in Christ.

Their lives are hidden with Christ in God.

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But unbelievers are in danger.

They are dead in their sins.

They are not spared from eternal destruction.

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As Christians, we are to pray for unbelievers among us.

God had forgiven our sins in the past.

We are to pray for unbelievers that God may not let them perish in their sins but bring them into Himself.

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The fact that Christians are dead and hidden in Christ should make them bold to proclaim the gospel truth even in fearful situations.

Oh Lord,
Help me to trust You in times of fear and challenge.

Allow Your Spirit to take control of every situation.

The Passover Meal

(Exodus 13:3–10)

The spiritual truths that God wants us to remember are often memorialized in a ceremony.

It frequently involves a meal.

The Passover meal and the Festival of Unleavened Bread are filled with symbolism.

It is designed to commemorate the deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt.

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God never wanted the people of Israel to forget what He had done for them.

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The New Testament counterpart is the Lord’s Supper.

Here, believers eat a ceremonial meal to commemorate the deliverance of God’s people from sin.

It is also filled with Passover symbolism.

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When we observe communion, we celebrate a meal that has been observed in unbroken succession for two thousand years.

We are celebrating the Passover.

We are celebrating Communion with the Triune God and His people.