How Long is One Hour?

11-21-14

This week I was reading some of my dad’s devotionals and found one that gives a great encouragement for the coming holiday season.  “Keeping Watch with God - One Hour”.  One hour seems like a short amount of time but think about praying for an hour and it may seem very long.  However, there are many things we do for an hour or more without a second thought; sporting events, watching a TV Drama, going to the movies, facebook surfing, Black Friday shopping, and waiting in line at Disneyland. These activities don’t have to be replaced with spending an hour with God but we need to consider the value we might be placing on these activities over our prayer time.

Jesus was disappointed with His disciples when they wouldn’t stay awake and pray with Him one hour on the eve of His execution. Being in touch with what God is doing and setting priorities is the challenge. The disciples’ story tells me it’s not easy but my dad gives us a great guide to give it a go. 

Break down the hour into seven segments:

1  Praise and Adoration – Get to know God in three persons. Read Psalms 23, John chapter 1, and John chapter 14.  Turn on praise music and as you meditate on The Word.

2   Personal Confession – Read Psalms 51:10-12, Colosians 3:12-14, Romans 10:9-10. Confess sins and ask for forgiveness.

3  Intercession for Family & Friends – Read Ephesians 1:15-16.  Take a piece of paper and make a list of family and friends. List what they might need prayer for.  Enter into prayer standing before God on their behalf. Allow a few seconds of silence between names for the Holy Spirit to begin His ministry work.  Pause longer as the Lord leads. Do the same for your pastor and other church and spiritual leaders.

4   Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs – Read Psalms 145 aloud.  If you have access to worship songs or hymns read your favorites aloud.  Many of these can be found online. 

5   Intercession for The World – Read Philippians 1:3.  Start with the closest area to you and move out to larger areas repeating this process covering your neighborhood, city, state, country, world. You can use tools to assist in making a list such as newspapers, google your zip code for other churches, schools, government offices etc.  List what they might need prayer for.  Enter into prayer standing before God on their behalf. Allow a few seconds of silence between names for the Holy Spirit to begin His ministry work.  Pause longer as the Lord leads.  Do the same for each area.  Include armed forces, police, fire, and other service operations.

 

6  Personal Petition – Read Philippians 4:4-8. Write your name down on the list.  Name a few things you need prayer for.  Keep the list limited to attitudes, inner thoughts, and actions - instead of wants.  

7  Praise and Thanksgiving – Read and meditate on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. End the hour by thanking God for meeting you and opening His throne room.  Write down any notes He may have given for your next hour of prayer or for any items He may want you to continue to pray about.  Meditate on Psalms 100:1-5.

**Lord, I love you and would love to spend an hour with you. Forgive me for the times I traded our time for entertainment or even sleep. As I move forward, bring to mind these steps to connect with your heart.  Help me set my priorities right.  Lead me not into the temptation of trading our time but deliver me as I keep watch with you.**

 “Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. 'Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?  Watch and pray so that you do not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak.’  "  Matthew 26:41