“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” - Philippians 4:6 (NIV).
There are many people who practice a certain habit. They will never go out to shop without a shopping list. This habit was picked up probably after observing someone who had profited from it or after making some costly mistake. There are instances where one without any advance list ends up spending freely at every slight temptation of a passing good or rushes to enjoy a certain service, only to end up fast broke with other more critical needs left unattended. A shopping list helps to save one from all this.
Just as a shopping list is helpful, another equally good habit for believers is to have a prayer list, that one takes regularly to the Almighty God. There are several advantages here. First, it helps focus one on particular prayer points that can easily escape the mind during a quiet time in the presence of the Almighty. But also, more, the list is a regular reminder of what one needs to take to the Almighty in form of petitions. And because one has a list he is always aware of what to add on, here and then. There are those believers with prayer lists which they keep adding on as they hear the needs of those they happen to meet.
One of the beautiful thing about such a list is to see prayer requests every now and then met. There are instances where a need is met without suspense, but other needs may take their course, as God wills. The list serves as a record of how the Almighty God comes through, sometimes without us even being aware. As one ticks an answered prayer request here and there, sees what God has done, his faith is inspired.
Of course we are here not talking about a command from the Lord, and you may as well have another habit that works for you. But this is also one good one, you may consider and give a shot, if not already doing so!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I bring to you these lined petitions assured that you will meet each one of them according to your glorious riches in heaven, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
