Imagine the World Globe with dots all over it. Using dots on the globe is a way learning institutions, governments and the media show us certain information about things that impact us. It’s a way of describing the places that certain things are happening. As I watched some dots on a television documentary the other day, I began to think about what prayer dots would look like on the globe. I wondered how prayer dots would look as they are happening over the world all day every day.
In my own life experience, I have been involved in personal prayer, family prayer, prayer and share groups, prayer for mission, various specific ministry organizations working together in prayer and of course regular church services. Thinking about my weekly prayer and share group, I wondered, how many groups like mine are functioning all over God’s created planet Earth.
At the bottom of my “dot” wondering was a sense that each and every person or group is important to God. Even though I am involved in only a few dots on the world global prayer activity, my dots are as bright as each of the other dots. To me, that emphasizes God’s ability to be with us in all things. He is present whether we turn to Him or not. God wants us to connect with Him in all of our living.
In each of our prayer dots, we must know that our dot is as important to God as is any other dot around the world. We can experience God’s presence in the smallest of prayer situations and know we are as well heard as any other place on Earth.
Now that we’re comfortable with our prayer dots mingled with billions of other prayer dots, maybe we can relax and know that our job in this prayer relationship with God is important to God Himself. Seeking God, thanking Him, praising Him and turning our needs over to Him are a few of the ways we connect with Him regularly.
In 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 St. Paul explains to us how we might approach prayer:
“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.”
For Paul, connecting with God’s Spirit was an important part of communicating with God through prayer. We should let loose of our ego and allow the Lord to fill us with His Spirit. Surrendering to Him and waiting to be filled with His Spirit is the key.
In Philippians 4:6, Paul goes on to say: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
St. Paul reminds us how constant our prayer life should be in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Keeping our bright prayer dots going along with the millions of other bright world prayer dots is so important to God. In connecting with God constantly through our prayer and actions, we are lights in this world for the Lord and much needed.