Have you ever felt like you couldn't do anything right, or that everyone was against you?  Felt that you couldn't even turn to your friends, or that God was deaf or maybe just indifferent?

If so, then you can identify with David, who authored the majority of the Book of Psalms. In Psalm 109, David is again frustrated over the undeserved verbal and physical attacks of his enemies. He is hurt by his so-called friends, who join the throng of accusers. Mostly, he is concerned about God's ongoing silence. 

In the face of all the opposition and disappointment, Verse 4 tells us how David responds, "...but I am a man of prayer."  I believe he was and I believe it was this posture of prayer that not only sustained him but brought ultimate triumph. 

In his book "Becoming a Man of Prayer," Bob Beltz writes, "...prayer is intended to be effectual in influencing heavenly realities.  In turn, those heavenly realities influence earthly realities." (page 17)

Throughout my years as a pastor, I have found most church goers believe in the power of prayer. We might not fully understand how it works but we know prayer does work. Yet, few of us can echo David's declaration, "I am a man (or woman) of prayer."  There are many reasons why we fail to be that person of prayer, but I have found the core problem is our feeling of inadequacy. 

Jesus corrected his disciples, saying "Can't you just pray with me one hour?"  Like the disciples, we don't know what we would say for a full hour...without repeating ourselves over and over. We can pray in a crisis or over an issue. We can say a bedtime prayer and bless the meal. But being a person of prayer is a whole other matter.

This month I am introducing a book to you, "The Hour that Changed the World" by Dick Eastman. This book not only taught me to pray but gave me a prayer life. It is not a so-called 'deep' book but a practical one. It is not a book of theology but, instead, when applied, a book that I believe can change your life.

I hope you read it, enjoy it, and apply it. I pray God will use it to make you a person of prayer.

1. Teach children to pray as Jesus taught His disciples (Matthew 6:9-15).

The Lord's Prayer, or the Model Prayer as it is sometimes called, asks God to accomplish eternal things that He intends to do; therefore, we enter into an exciting "partnership" with Him as we pray according to His will. Help your kids memorize the Lord's Prayer and explain to them what each request means. (A good resource for this is the book, "Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray" by Sinclair Ferguson).

2. Teach children to pray for the sick (James 5:16).

Use your church's prayer email or bulletin to make a prayer list. Does your church have a list of widows, sick people, and shut-ins? Have your children pray for specific members on a regular basis, and if you can find a way to involve the children in physically serving members on the list, so much the better.

3. Teach children to pray for the persecuted church (Hebrews 13:3).

Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) has information on persecuted believers and countries hostile to the Gospel that need our prayers. Kids of Courage is an off-shoot of VOM that spotlights children who have made brave stands for Christ in dangerous places. The suffering church is our family; children feel honored by the privilege of praying for her.

4. Teach children to pray for missionaries, your pastors and other leaders in the church (1 Thessalonians 5:25).

The New Testament epistles contain specific requests for prayer from the apostle Paul (Ephesians 6:19 and 2 Thessalonians 3:1, for example) that enlighten us to the prayer needs of missionaries and pastors alike. Find out what missionaries or missions endeavors your church is supporting; ask your pastor how the children's ministry can be praying forhim. Let your children know they can be a vital part of God's work in the world by praying for missionaries, their pastor and other spiritual leaders!

Book of the month: "Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray"  by Sinclair Ferguson

Kid worship music: Hillsong kids