Prayer Prompted by Unexpected Circumstances

In previous weeks I have written about more “routine” practices of prayer, including using a prayer list, praying at set times of the day, and also using prayers written by great saints throughout the ages.  This week I want to go to an “opposing” practice of prayer – prayers prompted by unexpected circumstances.  Rather than being a prayer we “expected” to pray, these are prayers driven by a sudden unexpected circumstance.  This might be something personal and private to us and our family, or it might be an international event.  In either case, God is calling us to prayer regarding this unforeseen circumstance.

I remember a time years ago when a plane of the US Navy had to do an emergency landing in the Maldive Islands.  The Maldives is a very restricted country with virtually no exposure to the Gospel.  The story made international headlines.  However, I saw it through different eyes.  I had prayed for the Maldives before regarding the Gospel breaking through.  And suddenly, here was the possibility that one of the crew might be a believer and have an impact.  Or the necessary contact with the US government might open a door for the Gospel.  So I took this unforeseen circumstance as a chance to pray.

Our lives and the daily news are full of such unexpected circumstances.  Others may simply be excited or irritated or think in political or economic terms.  But as God’s people, we should not miss the Spirit calling us to pray.  This broadens the scope of my prayer life and serves to remind me that God is at work all around me, in ways big and small.

I hope today you will hear the Spirit calling you to prayer through circumstances not anticipated by you, but certainly known and foreseen by our Father. 

In Christ,

Bret