Three Hour Prayer Guide Introduction
Written by Ed Allen
- Get away from your normal routine. For example, do not attempt this while sitting in your den in front of your TV or computer. Or do not go to Starbucks if you often go to Starbucks and are likely to run into someone you know during the time. I recommend that you go somewhere secluded.
- Remove all distractions. For example, turn off your cell phone. (If you had an allergic reaction to that last suggestion, you need this far more than you are aware.)
- Find a place where you are comfortable that will also allow for flexibility. You may want to walk part of the time. You may want to change your seat for part of the time. Give yourself those options.
- If you feel overwhelmingly tired during the time, do not fight it. Take a nap.
- Bring a notebook and a pen.
- Use one page in the notebook as a “deal with it later” sheet. When anything comes to mind that will threaten to steal your concentration, just deposit it on the “deal with it later” list and forget about it. This may be worries, or random thoughts, or to do’s. Remind yourself beforehand that you can forget about these things because you will deal with them later.
- You will need additional pages to make any notes of thoughts or feelings that you want to remember or reflect on later.
- At the end of your time, I encourage you to spend a few minutes reflecting. Use the notebook for that as well.
- Bring a passage of Scripture that you want to meditate on. If you do not have one, ask someone for suggestions.
- Turn off your cell phone during your prayer time. (Some things bear repeating.)