Have You Considered a Prayer Covenant?by Dale Harcombe | More from this Blogger 27 Feb 2008 05:46 PM Prayer - how important a part does it play in your life? And how other person focused is your prayer? Or are you mostly concerned with your own needs? Recently a fellow writer suggested that a number of us online, most of us writers, form a 40 day prayer covenant, the idea being that each day everyone on the list would pray for the person nominated for that day. We were asked to each give three brief points, the first a point of praise and the other two requests. Prayers could be changed as they were answered and new ones substituted. The group started earlier this month. We are just over half way through our 40 days. We have seen several prayers answered. Some have even been the unspoken desires of our hearts. Sometimes though being part of a prayer group or covenant can be difficult. Yes it requires putting aside that time to bring others before God in prayer. It requires fitting it into a busy schedule. But it can also be discouraging to see the prayers of others answered if yours are not, or don't appear to be being answered. It's about letting God be God and answer, as and when He chooses. Sometimes answers come quickly. It is like what Joseph said to Pharaoh with regard to the meaning of his dreams, 'the matter is determined by God, and God will quickly bring it about,' Genesis 41:32. God's answer was clear, specific and prompt. Other times we may need, as my friend reminded all of us before we started this prayer covenant, to be like Jacob in Genesis 32:24-30. Jacob wrestled with God until he received the blessing. Often these prayers where we really have to persist and keep praying, bring the greatest blessing when they are answered. I knew some of the people in the group when we started our 40 day prayer covenant but not all of them. That doesn't matter. God knows each one and where we are at. As we have prayed for each other and exposed the concerns of our hearts God has brought blessing and helped us connect in a very real way. Maybe God is calling you to initiate a prayer covenant? Think about it. If you're interested in forming a prayer covenant here are some guidelines on prayer covenants. Bible verses from The New American Standard Version Please visit these related blogs How God answered one man's prayer Learn more about Dale Harcombe  Dale has a passion for books and writing. She writes in various forms, from articles to poetry to fiction for children and adults. Relevantchristian tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags covenant, intercession, prayer, persistence, use of time Discuss this article
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