File

File

Minister’s Message: Reorienting yourself to pray throughout the day

No doubt, one of the most remarkable gifts God gives to communicate with his creation is the gift of prayer

Call it old school, but when I was kid, the way to hike through the woods and mountains involved using a map and compass to guide the way. I would orient the map and follow the trusty arrow pointing me in the right direction to the next point and ultimately to my destination. Nowadays GPS technology make this task efficient and easy, but there is something about “slowing down” which makes the task meaningful and functional.

No doubt, one of the most remarkable gifts God gives to communicate with his creation is the gift of prayer. Prayer is sometimes portrayed as a one-sided effort to present one’s thoughts and desires to God. We have been taught to “thank God for your food”, “pray before you go to bed”, “pray for the sick”, and definitely to “pray before you take a test.”

For somebody in a relationship with God, prayer is so much more! Prayer is a gift of communication to be both given and received. In the Bible, Paul inspired by God wrote these words to help people learn how to pray: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:18. In this passage, prayer is a conversation with God, which ultimately helps one grow in that relationship.

It sounds great to be admonished to pray on all occasions, but how does that functionally work? Could you really dedicate all your waking day to praying? Instead of thinking about prayer as a task to perform or being an event, it actually becomes an ongoing conversation with God.

Let us look how this works: You wake up to start your day and say, “God, I praise you for another day!” Maybe then, you start to thank God for the blessings you do have and as your day unfolds and you see or think of new things you continue to lift those thoughts up to God. One does not need an audible voice to pray, but like the scripture says, “pray in the Spirit.”

Prayer communication connects you to what God is doing in prayer and helps you align yourself with the priorities of God. So asking God for guidance and help throughout the day keeps your relationship active and purposeful. God may answer you by reminding you about something, someone, or even help you recall the best way to live as described in the Bible. Paul reminds those following Jesus to be purposeful in praying for others, as there are many needs and God answers prayers.

While it is always appropriate to pray at specifics times, consider the challenge of praying throughout your day. The benefits of a “prayer conversation” with God can help you draw near to him and he to you.

Frank Alioto is the pastor at Roots Family Church in Soldotna (907-252-0036) and serves as a chaplain in our community.

More in Life

The Ridgeway Rounders perform during Frozen RiverFest on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
10th Frozen RiverFest set for Saturday

The event will feature 19 breweries.

The Middle School Battle of the Books Team from Homer Connections, who won the district competition in February, stand for a photo. (Provided by Districtwide Librarian Julie Gottfried)
District Battle of the Books teams ready for state competition

Battle of the Books is an annual celebration of reading and teamwork.

File
Minister’s Message: Living in the community of faith

Many of us tend to stay within our own denomination for purposes of what we consider to be purity of doctrine.

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Artwork by Susan Nabholz, Charlotte Coots and Chelline Larsen is displayed as part of “Fiber” at the Kenai Art Center on Wednesday.
Focus on fiber

Kenai Art Center show transforms threads to art

The Palm Springs Limelight-News used this photo in 1946 to announce the start of the Alaska Photographic Expedition, guided by Keith McCullagh (left) for his expedition partner and photographer, Harry Reed.
Mostly separate lives: The union and disunion of Nellie and Keith — Part 5

After a bankruptcy, a divorce and an 18-year absence from Alaska, Louis Keith McCullagh headed north on vacation.

These cupcakes are dense, more like brownies than traditional cupcakes, and are chock full of chocolate. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
‘Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate’ with some sprinkles

These cupcakes are dense, more like brownies than traditional cupcakes, and are chock full of chocolate.

Sophie Thatcher is Iris in “Companion.” (Promotional photo courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures)
On the Screen: ‘Companion’ provides an entertaining critique of digital romance

There are interesting ideas here about what human connection looks like in a world where people are increasingly siloed away into digital spaces.

Mark Jurek directs the Soldotna High School band at a rehersal on Oct. 11, 2022 at Soldotna High School in Soldotna Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
SoHi jazz band and swing choir fundraiser concert set for Feb. 11

The show will feature SoHi’s jazz band, swing choir, “several vocal soloists” and a variety of cheesecakes.

Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Life in the Pedestrian Lane: January’s done

This has been the strangest January I can remember, and to hear others, apparently it’s pretty unprecedented.

Most Read