Emergent Bursts of Prayer

The siren’s whine cut through the music bounding from my headphones as I walked. “It must be close,” I thought.  Glancing at the distant road leading into our neighborhood, red emergency vehicles whizzed past.  Nurse brain and adrenaline kicked in as I envisioned how to help until the EMTs arrived.  As the sirens faded, I realized my physical help wasn’t needed, but something even more important was.

Someone needed help. Physical help was on its way.  And so was my prayer.  Right then as I walked, I silently prayed for whatever was needed in this situation.  I didn’t know what that was.  But God did.

The apostle Paul reminds us about praying for others in 1 Timothy 2:1:

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.

Never ever stop praying. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 || Jill Hoven, followhisfootprints.org.While not routine, my emergency prayers occur more often than in the past.  Have you ever been prompted by the Holy Spirit do something?  A little voice inside telling you to say this or do that. That’s where my emergency prayers stem from—trying to listen more closely to God’s still small voice.

My sudden prayer bursts are not always an emergency, however.  Has a friend ever asked you to pray for something? We always reply “of course”, but then sometimes forget as the moment passes.  Praying in the moment (maybe even with the person) honors the request and can be even more powerful.

I also pray spontaneously when I want to do something but can’t (or won’t).  A few months ago I drove by a homeless person. I’ll admit I was too nervous to stop.  But I prayed for him quickly and instinctively.   That’s the thing with being still enough to hear His voice.  We hear, act or pray and it becomes a habit, an instinct.  Each time we listen, we learn to live more in tune with God’s will for us.

[tweetthis]Each time we listen to God, we learn more about His will for us. [/tweetthis]

I truly believe it’s how we can live out Paul’s encouragement in 1 Thessalonians 5:17  to

Never stop praying.

When I first read this, I thought-“yeah sure-only monks in seclusion never stop praying!”  Not true-we can too.  Our prayers can be an ongoing conversation with God asking for help, guidance, and wisdom.  Or they can be emergent bursts of thankfulness, intercession, praise-the list is endless. Wherever, whenever we pray, let’s do it in Jesus’ name and in communion with God’s will, not only for ourselves but also for whom we pray.

Remember:

“…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” ~ James 5:16b

Let’s never stop praying, whether it’s an emergency or not.

Linking up with Susan Mead at #DancewithJesus, Crystal Twaddell at #FreshMarketFriday, Dawn Klinge at #GraceandTruth,  Kelly Balarie at #RaRaLinkup, Holley Gerth at #CoffeeForYourHeart and Crystal Storms at #IntentionalTuesday

Save

Save

Save

Save

Share with your friends:

22 thoughts on “Emergent Bursts of Prayer”

  1. I’ve been working on praying immediately when a request is made known to me. That way, I am being a person of my word. Otherwise, I forget all too quickly and then struggle with guilt later. Thanks for this encouragement.

    Reply
    • You are welcome, Sarah! Doing many things in the moment (especially prayer) is so important, not to mention powerful! Praying this will encourage more of this for many, including you! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  2. Such a good reminder! This is something I began practicing as well because I always had good intentions to pray for people when I said I would but then would forget. I now pray right away and instead of saying, “I will pray for you,” I can say, “I prayed for you.” Also, if the person is there with me or on the phone, I pray with them right away and they also have the peace and reassurance that the prayer gives immediately.

    Reply
    • Exactly, I love how shifting it into the now, creates more immediate impact in our prayers on both ends! Thanks for your thoughts and stopping by Sharon!

      Reply
    • Thanks Michele, they truly do sometimes ‘burst’ out of me! We underestimate the power of prayer so often when it is a powerful tool at our disposable-always! Thanks for stopping by and your thoughts!

      Reply
  3. A ‘burst’ is a perfect name for these prayers. I pray these types of prayers too and will call them bursts from now on! Yes, the Holy Spirit calls on me to pray and sometimes it is a burst within me and sometimes they are actual hugging a woman and praying upon her shoulder. They may be through tears and upon a joy-filled moment with praise. I thank the Lord for sending me to you to read this post. I am blessed.
    Visiting from Fresh Market. Your sweet face drew me in.
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

    Reply
    • Thanks Linda-I love the concept of bursts too! I thank the Lord He sent you here as well. May you be blessed today and “burst” forth with prayers of thanksgiving and intercession for others!

      Reply
  4. I love this post!
    I do that praying for whoever is in need thing when I hear sirens as well. I also pray for situations when I read about them in the news.
    I think when we are abiding in Christ and walking close to Him, we will hear His voice prompting us to pray.
    And praying with the person can be such a blessing both to them and to the one who is praying!

    Reply
    • Agreed Ruth! I love the surprise that some people have when we want to pray with or for them too. God is so good to include us in His plans that way! Thanks for stopping by and your comments!

      Reply
  5. I took the survey and since I have a daughter with autism, I am very interested in your “Holiday Wellness Plan.” Holidays are particularly difficult for those with autism, because their routine is so important to them. Is there any other time when everyone’s routines are turned upside down like holidays?!

    Thanks for thinking of this!

    Reply
  6. I’ve been learning about the power of intercession recently from the great prayer warriors in the Bible – prayers for help for other people, and prayers for God to forgive and deliver others. Thanks for pointing out the importance of praying for others, Jill.

    Reply
  7. This is so true, Jill! Pray without ceasing. I don’t think this was ever intended to be only an on your knees face in the carpet type of prayer. We must pray on the move, because that is where we encounter the need. Blessings!

    Reply
    • Absolutely Liz! I feel like prayer is my running dialogue with God through the day. Different times of day and situations require different prayers.
      THanks for stopping by, always a pleasure!

      Reply
  8. I try to do this with my kids. When we see emergency vehicles, we pray for the people on the other side of that journey. I started when they were little. It blesses my heart to hear them initiate the prayer from the backseat now. (It thrilled me to be your #IntentionalTuesday neighbor today!)

    Reply
    • Me too, Kelly! I love teaching them the importance of spontaneous prayer and always having a relationship with God through prayer. It’s so heartwarming to see the kids emulate a positive behavior in their own relationship with God as well. Happy to be neighbors!

      Reply
    • You’re welcome and thanks for stopping by and lending your thoughts, Crystal. Listening to God’s voice and will for our lives is a very powerful and insightful tool as we follow His footprints!

      Reply
  9. I have found that I am praying like this more and more. Maybe it’s my age – if I wait too long or don’t write it down I may forget. Mostly though it’s because I guess I am prompted because there is an immediate need that I am unaware of. In addition to the reasons you mentioned, I also pray for people who are speeding or driving recklessly. I want them to be safe and anyone they may be near.

    Reply

Leave a Comment