I believe in spontaneous prayer, are you ready…?

An ambulance drives by you with lights and sirens clearing its way. Pray.

You see two cops have a car pulled over. Young driver inside, wondering what to say. Pray.

A friend tells you of a problem at home and asks if you’d pray for him and his family. Why wait? Pray.

Good news on the job front from another friend. She’s excited to get her promotion (and raise). Pray & Praise.

I believe in spontaneous prayer, are you ready…?

“Lord, thank you for the opportunity to share this practice of spontaneous prayer with others. Let these conversations draw us closer to you in both praise and requests. Thank you for always hearing and knowing our hearts. We seek your counsel and your favor in these instant moments – that our testimony of your Love and Power will be shared by us always. We do so not for our own sake, nor for those we are with, but for the sake of Christ, His Kingdom – and in His name. Amen.” – an example

Spontaneous prayer is empowering. Maybe it’s not always comfortable, but praying in an instant doesn’t need to be long-worded – and maybe it shouldn’t be if you’re leading someone else in prayer.

How many times do we tell someone we’ll pray for them or with them – and then don’t? And how is their prayer life? Practice a short, sincere prayer with them. Or silently as you stand there.

As you’re driving, walking, making a decision or choice.  Pray.

My wife, Angela Sansone, will sometimes interrupt our conversation so she can go to God in prayer. That’s spontaneous! And it’s right.

I believe in spontaneous pray, are you ready…?

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Oh, the hurdles the befall us. Whether it’s society throwing a curve, or a roadblock making the journey tougher, or some people throwing down a stumbling block in front of us – when life trips us up, it hurts.

No more stumbling blocks!

A few stumbling blocks to avoid:

• A friend gossiping about another person
• You didn’t get that job (or raise)
• Someone criticized you
• That tiny, but habitual, sinning thing that seems to interrupt your spiritual growth
• Getting frustrated at yellow lights (or brake lights)
• Dirty looks from passersby

You know what trips you up. Here’s a verse (and two versions) to recall when hurdles come your way. It’s Psalm 119:165 and I’d ask you place both the KJV and NIV into memory.

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them – KJV

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble – NIV

Catch some of the key phrases for those who love God’s Word?  Great Peace. Nothing Shall Offend Them. Nothing Can Make Them Stumble. 

Audience of One, remember? If someone looks at you sideways or starts to show their fangs, you can love them as you walk away (and pray they calm down until you can gather again).

Side step the tripping points. Have faith and patience with life’s curves. And make sure you’re not throwing down blocks in front of others. (Rom 14:13)

Remember the Dick Van Dyke Show? In one season’s opening titles, Dick’s character, Rob Petrie, trips over the ottoman as he walks in. But he learns, and in another season he side steps it.  If Rob can learn, so can you.

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Who do you hang around most? Does “Peer Pressure” sometimes sway your decision?

A man I know was nicely-versed in Scripture … and used it when it benefited him. But in a moment’s notice he could easily turn to cursing, gossiping, threatening, boasting … and later apologize for his fleshly battle.

If this were an occasional occurrence, grace wins (along with loving and reproving truth). But as this proved to be consistent habit, and that he would bare his “fangs” more than “fruit” – it was best to just walk away.

Walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. In ourselves as well as others, we should be able to recognize behavior as either by the works of the flesh or by the Fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:16-26).

When it comes to who we choose to hang around or talk with most often, choose those who show Fruits consistently.

As for those who show their fangs too often? Sometimes, walking away isn’t only best for you – but for them, too. Fangs desire an audience.

Just walk away. Point up. Audience of One.

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Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. (Pro 4:14-15)

Most of the time, you can taste it in your throat. Or feel it in your gut – right behind your belly button. Sin.

A man I know used to travel down a country highway on his commute. There was a porn shop sitting back there, right next to a gas station. He got addicted (to the porn, not the gas). It was ruining his life. And he began to change his ways.

He was doing great kicking the the habit, but one day he forgot to get gas in the city. On the way home, he stopped for gas – and fell back into that nasty habit.

He needed to find another way home or another job. It was a good job and the nearest way home other than that country road would take him 30 minutes out of the way.

Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

Trust your gut. Spit it out.

Pthu! to Sin.

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