Pray Continually

“God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for our food...” As a child, I have fond memories of reciting this mealtime prayer with my Grandparents. I am so thankful that I had parents and grandparents who always prayed over our meals and parents who always prayed with me before I went to bed. Even to this day, my dad and I thank God for the delicious food that He provides and we pray together before we turn in for the evening. But as an adult, I have found that prayer is an even greater necessity than ever before.

Some days, prayer is the only thing that gets me through challenging circumstances or life’s tragic disappointments. Whether I am having an awesome day or a not-so-perfect day, I have come to realize that each day only gets better the more I pray. Because the more I talk to Jesus, the more my mind is focused on things above as opposed to things on this earth. The Bible says to set our sights on Heavenly things. When I pray, my mind is fixed on Jesus, our Lord and Savior. When I am not praying, my mind is scattered among the many tasks that must be completed each day. This is the reason why we need to not only pray before we sit down to eat, or before we go to bed at night, but throughout every minute of every day. I want to challenge you today to make it a daily priority to pray continually!

Paul gives sound advice when he writes to the church at Thessalonica. He writes, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV). Paul doesn’t say that we should pray once in a while. He doesn’t say we should pray when we get up or before we go to bed. He says that we should pray continually. Once again, he writes, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2 NIV). Paul is encouraging us to pray throughout our day, without stopping.

If you’re like me, your mind is suddenly aflutter with all of the things you have to get done. You’re thinking, how in the world can I possibly pray continually if I have to go to work, make dinner, wash the dishes, do the laundry, take your son or daughter to soccer practice, visit someone in the hospital, make cookies for your child’s class party tomorrow, take the cat to the vet, and shop for groceries. Not to mention the dentist appointment you forgot to reschedule because of the conflict with your other appointment to have your tires balanced and rotated on your new car, compounded by the fact that you desperately needed a haircut over a month ago. Needless to say, life is hectic and schedules are inevitably going to be busy.

Nonetheless, we can still pray continually. While it is wonderful to have time to kneel at the altar at church and cry out to God, or to spend time alone with God at home, we can still talk to Him throughout our day. I often find myself praying while washing dishes, driving down the road, or taking a shower. That’s the beauty of prayer. There is no set way to pray. Jesus gives us the Lord’s Prayer as a guideline, but we can talk to Him just like we would talk to our best friend. You know why? Because Jesus Christ is the best friend you will ever have. He loves you with a love that is unchanging, unconditional, and everlasting. He wants to hear your voice, whether you are asking Him to intervene in a particular situation or if you are praising Him for the good things He has done in your life. He longs to hear from you.

I want to introduce you to a man named Epaphras. Paul vouched for Epaphras, saying that he was a hard worker. But the most important thing Paul said about this man is that he knew how to pray. He writes, “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured” (Colossians 4:12 NIV). Epaphras didn’t just pray. He wrestled in prayer. And he didn’t just do it whenever it struck his fancy. He did it always. Epaphras knew the value in praying continually and he was faithful in prayer, despite his busy work schedule and in spite of those who may have persecuted him for the time he spent in prayer. Why? Because he knew that prayer was the key to living a life in God’s perfect and divine will. Epaphras knew that the only way to be truly happy and content with his life was to be in tune with what God had called him to do.

What about you? Is there something in your life that is preventing you from praying continually? Perhaps you are facing a difficult time in your life with the loss of a loved one, a diagnosis of cancer in your family, or a son or daughter who has gone astray. I want to encourage you today. Jesus cares about you. Tell Him all of your cares. Pour out to Him all of your fears. Jesus told His disciples that they should always pray and never give up (Luke 18:1 NIV). He is telling you the same thing today. Do not give up. No matter what is going on in your life, there is hope in Christ. Take hold of Jesus’ hand and never let go. Talk to Him today, whether out loud or silently. Every day will seem brighter if you give your burdens to Jesus. So be sure to cast your worries aside, talk to Jesus daily, and stand amazed as He transforms your life! From sunrise to sunset, don’t let a minute slip by without praying continually!

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

Giving Grace

When I was a little girl, rarely a day went by that I did not go next door to visit my grandparents.  One day I would help them pick up pecans under the tallest tree in their yard, a tree that towered over me like an enormous giant with an infinite number of sprawling arms.  Sometimes, I would wheel my little red wagon down to their house, either full of baby dolls or carrying my cat Morris or my pet rabbit Speckles.  Another day, we would be inside, making Grandma Ethel’s famous chocolate pound cake (which I still make in her memory to this very day) or Papa Joe’s mouthwatering homemade ice cream.  I always loved this activity because they always let me lick the paddle when the ice cream was ready to eat!

But it wasn’t these fond childhood memories that make the top of the list.  And it wasn’t the cherished moments I spent with my Grandma, listening intently as she taught me to play the autoharp.  It wasn’t even the trips to town in Papa Joe’s blue and white Ford pick-up truck, where we would ride with the windows rolled down, singing at the top of our lungs, “In the Good ‘Ole Summertime.”  What makes the visits to Papa and Grandma’s house special in my storehouse of memories are the many ways they showed their love for me and love for God.

One thing I distinctly remember is the way they always made sure we said grace whenever I was sharing a meal with them.  We would hold hands, bow our heads in reverence to the Almighty, and then pray together.  They, along with my parents, taught me at a young age the importance of being sincerely grateful for my food and asking God to bless it.  While I now say a prayer in my own words, I will always remember those timeless words that my Grandma, Papa, and I would say in unison:

God is great, God is good.

Let us thank Him for this food.

By His hands, we are fed.

Give us Lord our daily bread.

Amen.

Such a simple prayer, yet it is one that embodies such a complex meaning.  As a child, I knew we were to be thankful.  I knew we were to say grace.  I knew we should pray.  But only as an adult have I discovered that grace is much more than a prayer recited at mealtime.

Grace is one of the most precious gifts ever given to us by God.  Through grace, a lost soul can be found.  Through grace, a broken heart can be mended.  Through grace, a shattered life can be restored.

For decades, congregations have gathered together in one accord to join their voices in song as they joyously sing the beloved hymn, “Amazing Grace.”  Just the melody of this song can produce goose bumps on your arms and cause a chill to run gently up and down your spine.  But it’s not because of the singer, the musician, or even the writer of this cherish tune.  It’s because of the priceless meaning that is held within the lyrics of this powerful and anointed song.  John Newton must have had a direct connection to the Heavenly choir of angels when he penned the following lyrics:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Grace.  It has been sung about, written about, and talked about for thousands of years.  But just as this beloved hymn states, we shall be showered with the goodness of God’s grace forevermore if we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, His Son.  God will not only bestow upon us His matchless grace, but He will also fill our hearts with peace if we come to Him with grateful hearts.  Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [emphasis added].”  You see, God wants us to be happy and to have no worries or cares.  Much like my grandparents and I always said grace, we should always be thankful for everything God.  If we give grace for what God does for us, the grace He gives in return will be greater than you or I could ever imagine!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer