A.S.A.P.

by Dr. Ann Pearson on January 25, 2021

Always Say A Prayer

When you see the letters A.S.A.P. usually the first thing that comes to mind is, As Soon As Possible. But today I want to change those letters to have a new meaning for you. A.S.A.P. can also mean Always Say A Prayer. I wake up every morning and a plaque greets me with the letters A.S.A.P. It reminds me to start my day firmly rooted in prayer. When we think about the blessings God has lavishly poured over us and how God comforts us in the deepest of our sorrows we are reminded to humbly come to Him in prayer.

I have never liked the phrase let’s return to prayer. My thinking is why did we ever leave prayer? It should be the central embodiment of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. It’s kind of like someone saying do a short prayer. When I am talking to God the Holy Spirit is speaking and I don’t want to put limits on His message to me.

I invite you to see how the greatest Man, Jesus, turned to prayer in every aspect of His life. As you read through the scriptures, be comforted that the Son of God leads by example in His prayer life. There are many times in the Bible when Jesus was praying and I offer some examples below.

Three prayers Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane:

Jesus prays for Himself and for God to be glorified John17:1-5
Jesus prays for His disciples John 17:6-19
Jesus prays for all believers John 17:20-26

The three prayers of Jesus on the Cross:

“Father forgive them; for they know not what they do” Luke 23:34
“My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34
“Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit” Luke 23:46

Jesus thanks God:

“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.” Matthew 11:25-26

The prayer of Jesus before the raising of Lazarus:

“Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” John 11:41-42

Jesus prays after entering Jerusalem:

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” John 12:27-28

When Jesus teaches us how to pray – The Lord’s Prayer:

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

This, then, is how you should pray:

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.”

Matthew 6:6-13

The prayer habits of Jesus teach us the importance of spending time alone with the Father. His passionate prayers all share one purpose, one theme – to glorify our Heavenly Father. “We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ”, 2 Thessalonians 1:12.

The question we might ask ourselves in these early days of 2021, are we spending enough time with our Heavenly Father in prayer? It is our choice; the answer is up to us.

Prayer:

Oh Lord we give thanks for You. You hear our cries and our thanksgivings. We humble ourselves to be called children of God. May the depth of our souls continue to be renewed by your Spirit that dwells within us through prayer. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

My love and prayers,

Ann

About the Author

Dr. Ann Pearson

Ann graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Consumer Economics and household Equipment. She has a Masters in Science in Grief Counseling and Thanatology as well as a Doctorate in Philosophy of Pastoral Counseling and Thanatology from Breyer State University.

Her early professional career was spent working with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Knoxville, helping families of low income; working for the City of Charlotte Public Works Dept. and as a preschool teacher in Knoxville, Tennessee, Mobile and Fairhope AL. Ann has lived in Fairhope since 1986 where she immediately began serving in the youth department of Fairhope UMC. She joined the staff in 1990 as Youth Director, serving twice in this position and was also the interim Director of Children and Family Ministries for two years here! Ann had dual positions here at Fairhope UMC as Youth Director and Director of Caring Ministries which led to her becoming the full time Director of Caring Ministries in 2000. Ann loves her church family and appreciates the humble opportunity to be serving in this community. Ann has 2 children: daughter, Allison (Ryan) and son, Brad (Kate) and four granddaughters between the two! You will come to know she is passionate about University of Alabama Football, Grayton Beach and taking care of the people in this community by offering love, peace and God’s grace.

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