Don’t start before completing Challenge #20
If you want to join the IntelliMen Project, start from Challenge #1.
Challenge: Begin every day this week the way King David did.
Explanation: Revered by many even today, King David left numerous examples of how to be an intelligent and successful man (as well as how not to be intelligent and successful). One habit that epitomised his character was prayer. The book of Psalms is full of examples that flow from the heart of this shepherd, military hero, fugitive, sinner, father, husband and king.
He knew the power of prayer to guide, protect, deliver and conquer. That’s why he had the habit of starting the day by speaking to God. In Psalms 5 he said:
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning
I will direct it to You, and I will look up.
Put this into practice this week. Arrange to spend a couple of minutes before God in prayer at the beginning of each day. Get out of bed, wash your face, brush your teeth… in other words, you should be awake – then go to a private place, where you can be alone with God, and speak to Him there. Thank Him for another day. Ask Him for direction. Place your plans before Him. Surrender your worries. Pray for those who need help. Ask for God to provide your daily bread. Praise Him for everything He has done for you. Pray that you do not fall into temptation, and ask to be delivered from evil.
How long should this prayer last? Jesus said that it is not the quantity of words that we cause us to be heard, so it does not have to take very long. Three, five, ten minutes… It depends on what’s happening inside of you. Instead of worrying about the clock, worry about emptying your heart before Him.
(Obviously, our hope is that you will see the good this will do and continue practicing it after one week, until it turns into a habit. But that’s up to you.)
You may already have this habit of praying daily. Great. In this case, your challenge is to take a couple extra minutes during another time of the day and pray. For one week.
Notebook: At the end of the seven days, write about how you felt doing this early in the morning. What were the results, how did it help you, how did it help in dealing with others, and at your job.
Official Partner: Remember to include your partner in your prayers this week.
Deadline: You may begin working on this task immediately and complete it within a week. Then you can start on Challenge #22.
Post: After – and only after – you have completed the challenge, post your comments – on the IntelliMenWorld Facebook or Twitter page, (not on your own page) and write the following:
IntelliMen Challenge #21 done: I began my days like King David. (Add more to the comment if you want.)
Links:
www.facebook.com/IntelliMenWorld
www.twitter.com/intellimenworld (when tweeting, use @intelliMenworld)
Verification Checklist
☐ I prayed at the beginning of the day, every day
☐ I prayed for my partner
☐ I wrote the results in my Notebook
☐ I posted the comment on Facebook/Twitter