It is a temptation for followers of Jesus Christ to drift into naïve living. There can be disengagement with life that becomes irresponsible, but Jesus said, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one” (John 17:15). It is engagement in the world that gives Christians relational equity with unbelievers. We are called to trust others, but to simultaneously verify their words and actions.

Parents do this with their children when they confirm that their homework assignments are complete. Adolescents have to be reminded to take their backpacks to their bedrooms, and warned not to snack before dinner. Loving moms and dads keep an eye out for their child (sometimes in the back of their heads it seems), as they have one trusting eye of encouragement, and one somewhat skeptical eye of accountability.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11).

The same can be said about your work. If you think everything is ok all the time, you will one day abruptly discover it is not. Wise managers, leaders and associates hunt down bad news and cage it with critical collaboration and solutions. They seek to understand its source and not repeat the same mistake twice. Negative trends can be your friend if they are diagnosed early and dealt with thoroughly. There is a practical paranoia when filtered through prayer that is productive, necessary and responsible.

Furthermore, reward the candor of concerned team members. When they speak up and seem somewhat cynical, their passionate prognosis means they care. Be wise and daily discern the meaning of important data like sales reports and your child’s mid-term report card. Prayerfully and thoughtfully interpret the information, make adjustments by faith, and then carry on in confidence knowing you have done your part. Servants of Jesus are shrewd to discern the times and wise to prayerfully adjust accordingly.

“A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it” (Proverbs 22:3).

What opportunity or person am I facing that requires extra discernment and prayer?

Related Readings: Psalm 19:12; 119:125; Proverbs 28:2; Luke 16:1-8

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Prayer is a timesaver. It saves followers of Jesus from unnecessary seasons of anxious worry. It saves an employer from a wrong hire and the valuable investment of time, money and training in someone who does not stay around for very long. It saves a dating couple from a naïve emotional engagement to marriage without counting the cost of a lifetime commitment to love, to respect and to serve each other. Prayer waits for God’s best.

The flesh forces issues when prayer is void in the relational process. A person who is self-motivated, but not Spirit led exerts a lot of energy, but can waste a lot of time. A prayerless approach to life and work can easily end up in a focus on the urgent to the neglect of what really matters. Prayer protects you from the clenches of another’s crisis.

“I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer” (Ezra 8:22-23).

Is prayer the primary focus in your decision making process? Do you rest in the realization that He can be trusted to reveal the way you should go? Do you realize that His truth—though at times counterintuitive—saves you time in the long run? What the Lord is saying may not make sense now, but later as you look back it becomes clearer.

It is not a copout to first pray before you commit—indeed it is a wise filter for decision-making. Our Lord Jesus smiles when His children take the time to save time, by waiting on His understanding in prayer. The prayerless crazy cycle of overreacting in fear and anger only prolongs the pain, while patient prayer applies heaven’s healing process.

So the Lord’s wisdom reminds us: Are you considering a career transition? Then ask God, what role in my work can I bring you the most glory? Are you facing a difficult financial decision? Then ask Christ, how should I manage Your resources as a wise steward? Are you estranged from a friend or relative? Pray, what can I do to love them in Jesus’ name? Time is a gift from God that requires prayerful use and not fleshly abuse. So, pray well.

“While I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding” (Daniel 9:21-22).

How can I create a culture of prayer in my life, my family and my work?

Related Readings: 2 Chronicles 32:20; Job 42:8; Luke 21:36; Acts 10:9

Additional Resource: eBooks- Wisdom for Fathers, Wisdom For Mothers, Wisdom for Graduates, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God… click here: http://bit.ly/jHlNX0 All titles also available from the iBook store for iPad

Additional Resource: Hard copy of the 365 day devotional: Seeking Daily the Heart of God and the 90-day devotional book Infusion… click here: http://bit.ly/bQHNIE

Releasing Labor Day weekend the 90-day devotional, Seeking God in the Psalms.

Support Wisdom Hunters: Learn how you can help us reach other Wisdom Hunters with your monthly donation… click here: http://wisdomhunters.com/support-wh/

Prayer is not a passive undertaking—rather it is an energized exercise of faith. Status quo believers only tip God with prayer, but eager followers of Jesus are compelled by an intense commitment to pray. Spiritual sweat flows from the pores of a soul earnestly engaged with eternity. There is a desperate dependency that devoted Christians display.

Adversity has a way of bringing us to our knees in utter reliance on our Lord. Prodigal children bring parents together in prayer. Death convenes communities and families in prayer. Misunderstandings, mistreatment and misguided motives move hearts to pray. These aggressive prayers respond to rough circumstances with a need for holy help. But there is another type of laborious prayer that petitions Christ on behalf of others.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should” (Colossians 4:2-4).

Serious students of prayer know how to intercede on behalf of their brothers and sisters in the faith. They pray boldly for their friends and family to stand firm in the will of God—not wavering in face of the world’s trials and temptations. Plead for those whose body writhes in pain—go before God and pray for His healing. Maybe on Monday you pray for missionary friends, and Tuesday pray for truth to transform your child’s thinking.

Perhaps on Wednesday you gather your family together in prayer for our nation and leaders to follow the Lord’s principles as defined in the Bible. On Thursday consider praying for those outside the faith: friends and neighbors who need to know Jesus. Friday can be prayers for your church, a ministry and their need for encouragement and financial support—offer Saturday prayers for the poor and needy, and on Sunday pray for those who gather in worship to be ignited by the Holy Spirit to live by grace through faith.

Devote yourself to aggressive and grateful prayers—and all the while anticipate what Almighty God wants to do in and through your life. Remain steadfast in your allegiance to heaven, without worrying about what you can’t control. Earnestly pray for others and you will experience the joy of unselfish service and the exhilaration of Christ’s replies.

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops” (James 5:16b-17).

How can I increase the intensity of my prayers in a faith focused for others and their needs?

Related Readings: 1 Kings 18:36-39; Matthew 6:5-6; Acts 3:1; 16:13

Additional Resource: eBooks- Wisdom for Fathers, Wisdom For Mothers, Wisdom for Graduates, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God… click here: http://bit.ly/jHlNX0 All titles also available from the iBook store for iPad

Additional Resource: Hard copy of the 365 day devotional: Seeking Daily the Heart of God and the 90-day devotional book Infusion… click here: http://bit.ly/bQHNIE

Releasing Labor Day weekend the 90-day devotional book, Seeking God in the Psalms.

Support Wisdom Hunters: Learn how you can help us reach other Wisdom Hunters with your monthly donation… click here: http://wisdomhunters.com/support-wh/

Are you confused about what God has next for you in your life, work and relationships? Do you feel trapped in your aloneness—unsure if anyone really cares or not? It is in these moments of doubt and uncertainty that Jesus deeply desires to have communion with you and care for your soul. A lack of clarity is a calling card for Christ to show up and show you the way.

The human mind needs help to understand the ways of God. Without the Holy Spirit’s illumination we default to untruthful thinking and wrong assumptions that lead to confusing conclusions. For example, someone may not feel loved—and it is in the absence of love that fear and distrust set up shop. One who struggles to think they don’t deserve to be loved is wise to bow in prayer and receive their heavenly Father’s loving embrace.

“Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes” (Psalm 17:7).

Sometimes there is a lack of clarity of what to do at work. Everyone is eager to work hard; they just want to make sure they are occupied on the right things. How unfulfilling to sweat long and hard, only to discover your diligent service was around an unnecessary project. Perhaps in these awkward moments the leader and team swallow all pretenses and pray. Seek the Lord’s face first—then face with confidence whatever challenges arise.

Prayer is not a punch card that gives us credit in heaven, or a last resort when everything else has gone wrong. Prayer is first, last and along the way—the process of aligning with Almighty God’s agenda. He already has the plan laid out for His children. Our part is to patiently wait and listen for Christ’s clarity—as He is not the author of confusion.

“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:33, NKJV).

Where is the Lord calling me to prayer, so that He can bring clarity and peace?

Related Readings: Ezekiel 11:25; Zechariah 1:9; Acts 10:28; James 3:16

Additional Resource: eBooks- Wisdom for Fathers, Wisdom For Mothers, Wisdom for Graduates, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God… click here: http://bit.ly/jHlNX0 All titles also available from iBook store for iPad

Additional Resource: Hard copy of the 365 day devotional: Seeking Daily the Heart of God and the 90-day devotional book Infusion… click here: http://bit.ly/bQHNIE

Releasing Labor Day weekend the 90-day devotional, Seeking God in the Psalms.

Support Wisdom Hunters: Learn how you can help us reach other Wisdom Hunters with your monthly donation… click here: http://wisdomhunters.com/support-wh/