Pray Continually
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
"But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice."
(PSALM 55:16-17)
Every gardener spends a lot of time on his knees. When I first started my career as a gardener, I did not recognize or appreciate this marvelous opportunity. The work is hard and long, and the weather often does not cooperate. On your knees half the day, your attitude can deteriorate quickly.
But one day I realized how much time I was spending on my knees pulling weeds, fixing sprinklers, etc. It hit me: what a perfect time to pray! From then on I determined to pray whenever I was on my knees. It has made a difference in my attitude.
Jesus looked for times to pray and made use of them. Sometimes He got up early (Mark 1:35) or prayed all night (Luke 6:12). The Bible records numerous times of day when He prayed. We can find time, too, if we plan for it. You may be able to pray while working. If you're a brain surgeon or scientist, you may need to find another time. But we all have mental downtime, like when we're commuting or folding clothes, when we can spend quality time with our Master.
INSIGHT
THE APOSTLE PAUL TOLD US TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING. YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT STARTING. FIND YOUR MENTAL DOWNTIME AND FILL IT WITH PRAYER.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Samuel 3-4
Psalm 137
Ephesians 5-6
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
New International Version (NIV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.
23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
ANSWERING THE CALL
Jesus is God's "yes" to all of His promises. And if we love Jesus our response to Him must also be, "Yes, Lord." What is your answer to God's call on your life today?
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