Been there done that! Don’t want to be there again! I have experienced what Pastor Brad Jenkins talks about in this post. Painful! Very painful. I believe I’ve learned my lesson and pray regularly about how much to do and how fast to travel~ Priorities and Pacing!
Guest Post by Brad Jenkins
Have you ever run out of gas? A couple of years ago, my family and I were driving through The Middle of Nowhere, Texas, when our minivan lost all power. We pulled over to the side of the highway – a dangerous place for a family of six to wait for help. There was nothing in either direction.
After a discouraging call with AAA about a two-hour wait, we called the local sheriff. When he arrived, I explained our situation, then sheepishly admitted it might be possible we’d run out of gas. A quick trip to the station confirmed my embarrassing suspicion – we had been running on fumes for miles until we went completely empty.
Running out of gas in your car is a horrible experience. But want to know what’s worse? Running out of spiritual gas.
If we’re going to walk with Jesus for a lifetime, we need to keep our spiritual tanks full.
The Warning Signs
Just as a car gives us warning signs when we’re running low on fuel – the gauge dropping, maybe a warning light, perhaps some sputtering – our spiritual lives often show similar indicators when we’re running on empty:
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Increased irritability and decreased patience
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Feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges
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Struggling to find joy in worship
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Responding to difficulty with anxiety instead of faith
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Living reactively instead of purposefully
The problem is, while we’d never intentionally let our car run out of gas, we often let our spiritual tanks run dry. We know we need to pray, but we convince ourselves we’re too busy, too tired, or that we can make it a little further on what we have left.
LEARNING FROM THE MASTER
Jesus, despite having the most important mission in human history, never ran on empty. He understood the vital connection between prayer and power. Before major decisions, after significant victories, during times of stress – Jesus prayed.
Think about this: The Son of God, who had more important things to do than anyone who’s ever lived, consistently prioritized prayer. He would slip away to quiet places, often very early in the morning, to connect with His Father.
Why? Because Jesus understood something we often forget: spiritual power requires spiritual fuel.
Filling Your Tank
Just like a car needs regular fuel stops, we need daily spiritual refueling. Here’s what I’ve discovered works:
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Schedule Your Fill-Ups. Make prayer a non-negotiable part of your day, just like you wouldn’t negotiate whether to put gas in your car when it’s empty.
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Check Your Gauges. Pay attention to your spiritual fuel level throughout the day. Are you feeling depleted? Overwhelmed? Running on fumes? These are indicators that you need to pause and pray.
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Keep Emergency Fuel on Hand. Memorize Scripture and short prayers you can use in moments when you’re feeling spiritually drained. Think of these as your spiritual gas can for those moments when you’re running low.
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Don’t Wait Until You’re Empty. The best time to pray isn’t when you’re in crisis – it’s before you get there. Regular prayer builds up spiritual reserves you can draw on when challenges come.
The Premium Fuel Difference
Think of prayer like upgrading your spiritual fuel – not all approaches pack the same punch. Just like premium gas can make your car run better, there are some ways to take your prayer life from “meh” to meaningful.
It starts with praying authentically – don’t use fancy church words or try to sound impressive. God is interested in the real you, including all your questions, worries, hopes, and messy thoughts.
Prayer is meant to be a dialogue, not a monologue. We need to talk and also listen for what God might want to say to us.
And some gratitude and surrender – a willingness to let go of control – and your prayer life can become powerful.
Like premium fuel works best when used regularly, do these prayer habits consistently and you’ll start to see a real difference.
The Long-Term Benefits
Just as regular maintenance and quality fuel extend your car’s life and improve its performance, consistent prayer transforms every aspect of your spiritual journey. When we maintain a full spiritual tank through regular prayer, we experience profound changes in our daily walk.
Our decision-making becomes clearer as we learn to recognize God’s guidance, and we find greater peace in difficult circumstances, knowing we’re not facing them alone. Drawing on God’s strength rather than willpower helps us resist temptation more effectively, while His love flowing through us deepens our relationships with others.
A consistent prayer life anchors us in God’s presence, fostering a stronger faith and a joy that persists regardless of circumstances.
These benefits don’t come overnight – just like you can’t transform a car’s performance with one tank of premium fuel. But over time, consistent prayer changes everything about how we navigate life’s journey.
Don’t Run on Empty
If you feel powerless, pray.
If you feel unable, pray.
If you feel inadequate, pray.
If you feel unequal to your challenges, pray.
Create a rhythm of prayer in your life: Get up. Fill up. Go out. Pour out. The next day, again: Get up. Fill up. Go out. Pour out. Start every day with prayer and you’ll never run out of gas.
When we make prayer our first priority rather than our last resort, we discover what Jesus knew all along – maintaining a full spiritual tank through regular prayer isn’t just a good idea, it’s essential for living a life of purpose and power.
Take Action
I want to encourage you to try something I’ve been doing for a while now: I get on my knees at least once every day as a reminder that God has invited me to meet with Him. This physical posture helps me stop everything else and focus completely on God’s presence. What if you tried it every day for a week and see what happens?
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