Do you think you can PRAY for 12 minutes a day?
Look at a clock just before you begin to pray,
write the time on a fresh page of your journal,
and then log your ending time.
(Do not put the clock in a place you can see it and be distracted.)
If you find it difficult to stay focused,
pray out loud
or
write out your prayer.
Even if you have the habit of a “quiet time” or “devotional time”, try this experiment every day until December 12th. Too many of us think, because we talk about praying, share requests, and write down a list of names, and think about people we love, that we have “prayed”.
Thinking sympathetic thoughts or worrying is not the same talking to God.
Before you pray...
Daniel 9:3.
Daniel 9:20.
If you have a few extra minutes:
Take your TOP 12 list, tell God all about those concerns, asking Him for something specific, and write it down!
You can do just about anything for 11 days in your own strength, but determine to depend on the Lord to keep your commitment.
NEED AN EXTRA CHALLENGE?
If you are already in the habit of praying regularly,...
consider making these 12 days unique by setting aside 3 times to pray (like Daniel) for 12 minutes: morning, noon, and evening.
"12 minutes at 12"
I home-school my children, and I am especially excited about 12:00 to 12:12, our noon prayer time for this season. Consider how you (or you and your kids) can to make this time special. If your kids are in public school, maybe you could use some of these ideas over their Christmas break. (Or after you go through these twelve days on your own, you could go through them again with your kids or a friend as a count down to Christmas.)
EVENING MEDITATION:
As you listen to a couple of these songs, ponder this verse...
"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" (Traditional - poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" (Modern - Casting Crowns)
"Grace and Peace" - Fernando Ortega
Look at a clock just before you begin to pray,
write the time on a fresh page of your journal,
and then log your ending time.
(Do not put the clock in a place you can see it and be distracted.)
If you find it difficult to stay focused,
pray out loud
or
write out your prayer.
Even if you have the habit of a “quiet time” or “devotional time”, try this experiment every day until December 12th. Too many of us think, because we talk about praying, share requests, and write down a list of names, and think about people we love, that we have “prayed”.
Thinking sympathetic thoughts or worrying is not the same talking to God.
Before you pray...
- read these three verses:
Daniel 9:3.
Daniel 9:20.
- choose one of the verses, or a portion of a verse, to write in your journal.
What do we know about Daniel’s prayer life from these three verses?
What is the burden on Daniel's heart?
(if you are unsure, remember yesterday's reading or read 9:2 for another hint)
Daniel lived in troubled times; yet, he was at peace, even in captivity, even in a lion's den. If you need wisdom, if you need peace, follow Daniel’s simple routine of giving his “attention to the LORD God to seek Him by prayer and supplication…”What is the burden on Daniel's heart?
(if you are unsure, remember yesterday's reading or read 9:2 for another hint)
If you have a few extra minutes:
- Read Daniel’s prayer (9:1-23).
- Make specific notes in your journal of what and how Daniel prayed.
Take your TOP 12 list, tell God all about those concerns, asking Him for something specific, and write it down!
- Hopefully you have decided on “WHERE” you will pray.
- Now, decide on “WHEN”.
You can do just about anything for 11 days in your own strength, but determine to depend on the Lord to keep your commitment.
NEED AN EXTRA CHALLENGE?
If you are already in the habit of praying regularly,...
consider making these 12 days unique by setting aside 3 times to pray (like Daniel) for 12 minutes: morning, noon, and evening.
"12 minutes at 12"
I home-school my children, and I am especially excited about 12:00 to 12:12, our noon prayer time for this season. Consider how you (or you and your kids) can to make this time special. If your kids are in public school, maybe you could use some of these ideas over their Christmas break. (Or after you go through these twelve days on your own, you could go through them again with your kids or a friend as a count down to Christmas.)
EVENING MEDITATION:
As you listen to a couple of these songs, ponder this verse...
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men
on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:14
You can know His peace and His favor as you come to know HIM!"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" (Traditional - poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
"Grace and Peace" - Fernando Ortega
