This “Running on Prayer” is the third installment of four parts.  The first dealt with “Preparation” or how to get ready for a serious attempt at the spiritual discipline of prayer.  This second part looked at "Getting Started." This third part is about avoiding injuries and other pitfalls that can happen while we move through prayer.  Next time we will look at “Enjoying the Adventure.”

Last year I went out for a cross country trail run in the rain (I never said I was not crazy).  Cross country trails can be a lot of fun, but they also have surprises, like streams to cross and steep hills to climb that seem to come out of nowhere.   On this particular run, I started up a slick hill and felt a stabbing pain in the calf muscle of my left leg.  I stopped for a minute and it didn’t seem much of an injury so I began to run again…you know, like “run through the pain.”  The trouble with that strategy was that I ended up tearing a muscle to the point that it ended up bothering me for almost a full year.

Other nasty things can happen while running.  You can slip and fall (been there done that), you can run out in front of traffic if you are not looking, you can get lost.  I have a nephew who went out for a run and got lost.  He kept running and ended up in another state!  (Actually, he was vacationing in North Carolina near the border of Georgia at the time, but it makes for a cool story when I leave that part out).

So, what are the possible injuries and pitfalls in prayer? 

“The Terrible Toos.”  In running it is too much intensity, too soon, and too many miles that can get you injured.  In other words, overuse.  In prayer the “Terrible Toos” would be the opposite--not enough intensity and too little with not enough use.   Ephesians 6:18 says to “Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers….”  When we follow that directive, and bring intensity as well as consistency to our prayer life, we will not have to worry about injuries of too little and too light.

“Keep Your Balance” In running, it is important to stay on your feet!  Slick surfaces or unseen obstacles can cause problems that could lead to injuries by falling or twisting your back or an ankle.  In prayer, some of those slick surfaces or hidden obstacles could be unconfessed sin, unforgiveness and disobedience.  Even one of these three things can cause prayer to be ineffective and can do great harm in our spiritual lives.  Psalm 66:18 states, “If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened.”  Matthew 6:14-15 states that God forgives us only when we forgive others.  And I John 3:21-21 states, “…If our conscience is clear, we can come to God with bold confidence.  And we will receive whatever we request because we obey him and do the things that please him.”  

“Drink Plenty of Water” Injuries happen when runners get dehydrated or they do not have enough stored water that the body needs.  A prayer in Psalm 42:1-2 demonstrates the need to “thirst” after God, “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.  I thirst for God, the living God....”   Prayer becomes natural and can even become a craving when we focus His guidance and leadership.  Our lives will be filled with a desire for God and not for other things that can prove to be idols in our lives.

If you are feeling that your prayers have been on the injured list instead of in the finished column, perhaps it is time to look at what might be causing the lack of success.  These are just some of the things that can hinder an effective time with God.  You may be seeing how these or other things have hindered and injured your prayer life.  But remember that the One we pray to is the One who can allow His empowerment to lead us back to the spiritual health of “running on prayer” again.