Pray Upstream
SHIRLEE ABBOTT
Lee en español
“Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 (AMP)
I woke middream, restless and distressed.
As a part-time employee at a high school, I often dream about students and teachers. In this dream, things were going badly at a frenzied pace. It felt like I was at the top of a cliff, trying to stop a flood of people and problems from washing over the edge.
Lying in bed, I asked God for an explanation. Why this dream? Is this a preview of the future? Is there something I should do?
Not every dream is a message from God. Some are part of my natural sleep cycle. Some may be sparked by the enemy, others by indigestion. But the ones I remember with clarity, like this one, seem to come from God’s heart to mine.
Later in the day, I sensed His response to my questions: Pray upstream.
Upstream? What does that mean?
I looked to Scripture for an answer. Today’s key verse provided some insight:
“Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2).
Be alert. Focus forward. Get ahead of the flood. Pray before we get to the edge of the cliff.
All too often, I walk through my workday focused only on the next step, the next class, the next problem. I pray for a sleepy student to pay attention. I ask God to give a frustrated teacher an extra dose of patience. It’s all about the here and now.
If I “step upstream” to take in the bigger picture, I’ll pray the student’s home life will be conducive to a good night’s sleep. I’ll ask God to give the weary teacher renewed passion for her calling. I’ll pray for their salvation and spiritual growth.
Upstream prayer isn’t limited to my job. I want to focus on the future of my family, friends, ministry and country. I’m standing upstream of what is yet to come — for them, for me, for all of us.
God wants me to persist with these prayers, to look ahead and pray both for protection from the enemy’s schemes and for power to persevere through whatever troubles come.
Is God calling you to pray further upstream? Perhaps it means praying for the adults your children or grandchildren will become. It might mean focusing prayers on the future of your church’s ministry. Or praying for the eternal impact of your own words and deeds.
When we hit troubled water, we’re quick to send urgent cries up to God. But devoted, forward-looking prayers can also prepare, empower and protect us for just such moments.
Forgive us, Lord God, for waiting until we’re knee-deep in a crisis to pray. Teach us to pray upstream — being persistent and alert, praying with our eyes focused not only on this moment but also on the future. Fill us with gratitude for Your protection and provision. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Read Shirlee’s constructive thoughts and morning prayers on her Souls Under Construction website, or follow her on Facebook.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Ephesians 6:18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (NIV).
Are your prayers balanced between the here and now and the yet to come? If you moved upstream, how would your prayers change? How could you pray in the moment but also keep an eye on the future? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
© 2024 by Shirlee Abbott. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
Originally published Monday, 09 December 2024.
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