"pray
without ceasing," 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Just Do It. Such a
simple statement that we all see and picture a bubble like check mark when we
see it. But what are we supposed to "Just Do?" When I looked it up on
Google, I came up with a couple of different statements. One basically says
Nike wanted a good way to say, "Don't talk about it, be about it."
The other was that the executives were trying to come up with a catchy slogan
and this one was on a post it. I wonder who wrote it and if they got a
percentage of the profits from it. Probably not! It reminds me of the time
I was in a meeting and my idea was heard and shot down, only to come back up by
someone else the next meeting and it was accepted. Talk about needing some time
to pray!
Have you ever been in need of something and it seemed like you
were praying for quite some time with no relief in sight? I have. I have been
praying for awhile now for a vehicle. Not just any vehicle, but for a specific
vehicle. A vehicle from God. You see a few years ago, I surrendered my life to
Christ and in doing so, among the promise of eternal life (which in and of
itself is alone awesome) God told me He would give me a car. Not lead me to one
to buy or provide money for me to rent one or even other's cars to use, all of
which He has done while I wait to procure mine from Him..... in other
words, pray. I have had a couple of vehicles since that promise, long
term rental and a car bought for me. Both are gone, the rental turned in after
having an accident and spent much money (not all my money) and the other died (engine
problems). I should have taken the Nike stance point and just did it.... pray
that is.
Prayer, I don't think is never meant to be a blah blah blah,
Amen type of thing. Although there are certain prayers I have learned and
am still learning is that when God promises something to us, He doesn't put a
date on it. He just says, "pray without ceasing," and as we are
obedient, He will answer. That doesn't mean don't move at all! No, that means
to continue with what He has already having you do (Matthew 6:33) and while we
are doing that very thing He commanded, pray in the midst of it. I can see that
I need a car. God can see that I need a car, yet while I am in need of my own,
I am blessed with using my mother's vehicle. It gets frustrating because of the
work that is needed to be done and the pit less gas tank her truck seems to
have, but nevertheless I am thankful.... and I continue to pray. I pray for her
vehicle, that it would continue to hold up, I pray that mine would come soon, I
pray for the resources to fix up her car and pour endless amounts of gas in the
guzzler called a gas tank, and I pray for mine to hurry up and get here!
Then I begin to see that sharing a car with my mother allows me to pray for her
as well. I pray when she is in the car, when I can see her mood is not the best
or the enemy has been on her back. Mostly I pray when she is sleeping in the
car, because that is often, that God would intervene. I'm even sometimes
venting about things, including her sometimes in the car. She thinks I'm just not
social but it's just I'm being more social with God... especially when she is
complaining. But nevertheless, besides my own sanctuary room, the
truck is where I most convene with God!
To cease is to put an end to, to stop, to discontinue. Prayer
without ceasing is to continue to pray, regardless of how you feel, regardless
of how things looks, regardless of what the doctor says, regardless of the
utilities being off, the refrigerator being empty, the bills coming in or the
spouse or child going out. CONTINUE praying, pray WITHOUT ceasing! When you
most feel the pressure, pray. When you feel like things are going your way,
pray. It doesn't matter if, like Paul, you are without or have plenty, pray
without ceasing! You never know what God will reveal in the pit or on the
pedestal!
Father, thank You for being the ear we can cry to! Thank You for
being the Provider and Portion we need. Lord while we are in the need, You
comfort until You supply. David says in Psalm 65:13 that in the valley we will
have plenty and I thank You that it is so true. We know that You hear us
because Your Word says You do and we know that those who believe and request in
Jesus name receive, so thank You in advance! Give us courage to pray without
ceasing while we wait for You to answer those requests. In Jesus name, Amen
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