“It’s not just about praying more, but about praying BIGGER,” is the idea that in addition to praying for the outward, physical needs of people we can pray for the big work that God desires to do inside of them as well, all in the same prayer. In fact, probably one of the best things about Sunday's message was getting a helpful list of what else we can be praying for that we rarely think about. However, sometimes we do need help praying more often because it is not part of the natural way we do life. Society isn’t trying to pressure us to pray more; advertisers aren’t trying to make sure you “don’t leave home without it.”

So, I’d like to encourage you with one simple, practical way to help you increase your practice of prayer, and to do so with an expressed purpose.

Praying on the Way

Often our pictures of prayer, good prayers, are with knees bowed, hands clasped, and eyes tightly closed. This is our mental portrait of the good pray-er, the righteous person whose prayers are answered by God. Yet, I want to offer another picture: knees bent, hands at 10 and 2 with eyes definitely open. I’m talking about praying on the drive. I’m talking about praying along the road or on the way. 

Here’s the idea: Every day we move from place to place, knowing that when we get to our destination there are specific people that we are going to be with. What if, each time you transitioned to a new area with a new set of people – you specifically prayed for those people? You can pray for the outward needs you know, and more intently, pray for their spiritual well-being and growth, as well as an opportunity for God to use you toward that end.

This would mean:

• on your way to work – pray for your co-workers
• on your way to class – pray for the others students and teacher
• on your way to practice– pray for the other parents, coaches and kids
• on your way to church – pray for the greeters, pastors, kids workers, friends
• on your way home – pray for your spouse and children

Each place you go, while you are on the way, take the time to pray for the conversations you'll have, your attitude toward them, peace for their day, their eyes to be opened to Jesus, that they would fully grasp the love of Christ, and so much more.

Now this doesn’t have to just be in the car (could be a bike, or a walk down the hall), but let the transportation of your body prompt you to help transport these people forward to Christ in your prayers. Simply put: when you are on your way, commit to pray for each person you're about to see, trusting the Spirit of God to work in them.

Would you like some other resources on prayer?

• Praying BIGGER List
• 3 Methods to Keep You Praying by Trevin Wax
• Lord Teach Us -- and our Kids -- To Pray by Megan & Jared Kennedy
• Pray Shorter Prayers by David Mathis

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Derick Zeulner is an associate pastor at South Shores Church. He has a M.A. in Theology from Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, CA and he loves the wacky adventures of doing life with his wife, Rebecca, and 4 kids.