the Value of Vacation ... with a Prayer

What's on your prayer list? If it looks at all like mine, it's probably filled with a lot of needs. I keep a prayer journal that helps me to "round out" my prayer life and keep me on track, but I admit it isn't likely to include VACATION. I just started studying the Lord's Prayer in a fresh way with a group of ladies on Monday nights, and I'm seeing new things.

If we pray about every area of our lives, why not vacation? If God wants us to rest and to come away for some stillness and peace with Him, shouldn't we pray about it?

Pray before you go away ... for direction about when and where to go. We can plan our way, but we need God to direct our steps. (Prov. 16:9)

Pray for provision of a "solitary" place ... these are hard to come by in our world. He knows what we need and will supply it. (Matt. 6:31-33)

Pray when you set out ... I love it when we bow our heads and pray at the start of a journey. (Psalm 121:8) And when we pray out loud as a family or vacation group, we are reminded of what we hope for in the time of rest together = accountability & unity.

Pray beyond safety ... we usually default to this, but ask for MORE! Ask for God's peace, for new insight into His character in the people and places you see, for opportunities to share Him, for fruit of the Spirit towards each other, and for hearts of gratitude. Pray beyond your safety! (Phil. 1:9-11)

Luke 5:16 says that, "Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."

Pray while you are away ... enjoy time to talk to your Father, alone or with someone else. (James 4:8)

Enlist others to pray for you. Ask a friend to pray for your time away ... beyond your safety. As for them to pray for your growth, your refreshment, your reconnection, your pleasure, and your peace. We ask people to pray about so many other things with us ... why not the Value of Vacation?

Will you be traveling this Memorial Day weekend? I'd love to pray for you as you go. ;)