How About a Little Prayer With Your Coffee?

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” – James 5:16b

I love waking up to the aroma of coffee. I like to do my devotions with a cup of coffee by my side. Sometimes during the day, I will treat myself to a specialty coffee from a shop, but I am not a dedicated coffee drinker as some of my friends. While I like coffee, it’s not something I usually drink apart from my morning cup, but I know that is not the case for everyone. I have realized that there are several types of coffee drinkers.

The first type of coffee drinker is the one who has a difficult time starting their day without a cup of the hot beverage. Once that cup is finished, they are ready to go forward into whatever the day has to offer never really giving another thought to coffee.

The second type is the person who has a few cups throughout the day to keep them going when they get a little tired at work or home. They have a cup to get started in the day, then later, maybe mid-morning, they have another one. Later in the afternoon, they might have a latte or cappuccino, and then after dinner, they have that last cup to finish off the day.

The third type of drinker is the truly dedicated coffee drinker who has a cup of the brew with them constantly. They may even have little coffee candies as a treat for in between the cups, but rarely does an hour goes by that they don’t have a fresh pot brewing and a steaming cup of coffee by their side. Some of those specialty coffee shops even know these drinkers by name!

Coffee drinkers reminded me of people who pray. Just like there are different types of coffee drinkers, there are different types of precants* (those who pray).

The first type is the person who prays only in the morning when they awake. Maybe their day begins with a period of quiet time with God, and then they are off to face the challenges of life in the next 24-hour period. Sadly, throughout the day God is far from this person’s thoughts, and prayer is really not part of their life again until the next day.

The second type of person who prays is likened to the sporadic coffee drinker. This person may begin their day with prayer, and when the need arises, this person will call upon God for help. Some days may have more incidences of prayer than others due to untoward circumstances, but usually the prayers are always suppliant in nature.

The last type of precant is the one who really never stops praying. This person awakens with a prayer on their lips, and throughout the day, they converse with God. It may be simple praise or worship; it may be an act of confession; it may be to present a need to the Lord. Whatever the reason, this person’s conversation with God is seamless. “Amen” is almost unnecessary in their prayers because the attitude of prayer never ceases.

I know what kind of coffee drinker I am, but I had to ask myself, “What type of precant am I?” God’s Word tells me that I am to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), but through some serious self-examination, I realize that I am lacking in that department. Time for me to reprioritize my prayer life. Maybe you are wondering as I was, “What could I possibly pray for that would take me all day?”

While there are many verses about prayer in the Bible, here are ten verses that have helped me grow in my own prayer life.

1. Prayer helps us resist temptations. “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
2. Prayer will help heal our land. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
3. Prayer will help us live peaceably. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2
4. Prayer eases our minds. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
5. Prayer helps others in need. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:18
6. Prayer is a form of worship. “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” Psalm 95:6
7. Prayer is empowering. “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31
8. Pray because Jesus prayed. “And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12
9. Pray because God answers prayer. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22
10. Prayer is a command of God. “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2

Now that I am learning to be a “continual conversationalist” with God, I think I’ll go get myself a cup of coffee!

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

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What kind of precant are you?

*The word ”precant” is a very old word used for “one who prays.” I chose to use it because using the word “prayer” for the person who prays is easily confused with “prayer” meaning a solemn request or expression addressed to God.