​1. Understand the power of prayer: God is able to do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Eph. 3:20). There is much that God can do, but He wants us to ask Him (Mat. 6:8; 7:7). The power of prayer is available to every Christian in confidence as we ask according to God’s will (1 John 5:14).
2. Organize your prayer thoughts: Using an acronym, like ACTS, is a good way to organize the thoughts of your prayers. A = Adoration (praise to God; Psa. 100), C = Confession (confess any sins standing between you and God; 1 John 1:9), T = Thanks (1 The. 5:18), S = Supplication (make requests; Phi. 4:6)
3. Make lists to help you:  Using a daily list of those to remember in prayer can be very helpful. It can include: the church as a whole, members, the work of the church, community members, immediate family, friends and extended family, neighbors, mission works, those who have not obeyed the Gospel or are erring, city and state, country, government leaders, current events, specific family plans or struggles, etc. (1 Tim. 2:1-3).
4. Start and end every day with prayer: forming a habit to pray before you get out of bed and as you lay down each night is a good way to have regular quiet time in talking to God (1 The. 5:17).
5. Make use of any alone time: Be creative in using time alone to prayer.  You could pray while driving, in the shower, doing chores, or simply when at home alone. Jesus spent time alone in prayer (Mat. 14:23).
6.  Ask in faith and ask persistently: Prayers will not be answered if we do not have faith (James 1:6,7). Not only that, but we must have the patience to keep asking and not becoming discouraged (Luke 18:1). Remember that God will answer the prayers of the righteous, but His answer may not be what we want or expect (1 Pet. 3:12; 2 Cor. 12:8,9).
7. Follow the model Jesus gave: Jesus taught His disciples how to pray with a model (Mat. 6:9-15). His example can be followed as a good way to organize our thoughts in prayer.
8. Try to be consistent: Getting in the habit of praying consistently may not come easy at first, so it might be good to set a reminder using your phone or a watch/clock alarm. This will allow you to ultimately pray more instinctively and regularly (Eph. 6:18). 
​~Derrick Coble

​Mardi Gras, which is French for “Fat Tuesday,” is being celebrated today as a “Christian” holiday. According to tradition, the first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699 when French explorers landed near New Orleans, LA. This was a tradition that was incorporated into Roman Catholicism in answer to pagan celebrations (history.com). It is a day of partying and feasting on rich and fatty foods preceding Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent (literally meaning, “spring”) which is a period of fasting and penitence 40 days before Easter (Holman Bible Dictionary).
According to the Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, “the first mention of a period of 40 days occurs in the Canons of Nicaea (AD 325) . . . and the number 40 was evidently suggested by the 40 days’ fasts of Moses, Elijah, and esp. the Lord Himself.”  However, through the centuries, the strictness of the fast has been removed.  Today, “Lent is generally observed as a time of penance by abstaining from festivities, by almsgiving, and by devoting more than usual time to religious exercises.”  So, Mardi Gras is one final “celebration” before devoting oneself to more spiritual things.
Religiously, the responsibility of every person is to “prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 The. 5:21).  “Proving” involves testing.  So, every religious practice must be tested to try to determine the genuineness of it (Louw-Nida).  This happens by gathering the evidence and correctly handling the evidence that is gathered.  As far as observing Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, and the season of Lent is concerned, there is no command or example of such in the New Testament.  Even though it has been observed that as early as the 2nd century Christians were fasting several days before the Passover time of year, there is still nothing that God has bound relative to this observance.  Jesus mentioned fasting that could be done “in secret” (Mat. 6:18) and the early church fasted before important events (Acts 13:2,3; 14:23).  Never was it commanded to observe a 40-day season of “Lent” or fasting.
It is important to note that it was prophesied that some would “depart from the faith” (1 Tim. 4:1) and a “falling away” would occur (2 The. 2:3). In his book, The Eternal Kingdom, F.W. Mattox recorded, “During the first fifty years after the death of the Apostle John, the church struggled to maintain Apostolic purity” (p.107).  The first change that took place had to do with the authority of elders, which evolved into a one man “bishop” system and by 150 AD there is evidence that a “clergy” system was already being developed (p. 111).  These changes, along with many more, would ultimately shape the Catholic Church allowing for decrees (like Mardi Gras and Lent) to be implemented into “Christian Law.”  Remember, all that is commanded must be done by the Lord’s authority (Col. 3:17; 1 Cor. 14:37).  Let each of us make sure that we are not going beyond what is written (1 Cor. 4:6; 2 John 9). 

Derrick Coble