I want to thank everyone for stopping by yesterday and giving me awesome words of encouragement! You made me smile, and I am thankful for your virtual presence in my life. Thank you!
Today is the National Day of Prayer, a time to entrust all our cares and worries about our lives and our nation to the Lord, and to do so together in prayer.
I'm thankful to be a part of a group of churches in our community who are taking part in a 24/7 prayer vigil starting this morning at 12a.m. and going through May 19th (The Global Day of Prayer) at midnight. My church's day is May 6th, but I'll be focused on prayer throughout that time.
We are called to "pray without ceasing," but what does that mean, really?
I usually pray when I wake, and before every meal, and with my kids at bedtime, and then by myself before I go to sleep, and then, you know there are those "Lord, help me," kind of prayers throughout the day, that are more like whining than prayer, and the few "Praise God" moments when I'm thankful.
But what does it really mean, to pray without ceasing, or to pray continually?
What do you think? And what are you praying about today?
1Thessalonians 5:16-18 (KJV)
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
or in the NIV translation
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Scripture for today from Bible Gateway
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14-15 NIV
A simple prayer for the moment:
Lord, mighty, awesome God, savior, friend, and lover of my soul, teach me to pray. Amen.
How nice that there's a day for it! It's amazing how much easier prayer can make life, not only as a emotional foundation, but everything seems to follow a more sure path.
ReplyDeleteI forgot about that!
ReplyDeleteGive thanks in prayer in all things, because God already knows our needs and has a solution.
You are in my prayers. :)
ReplyDeleteHe hears us even before we speak.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about this, but thanks for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteI'm really impressed, as well as blessed, about how many writers that I follow walk in the Faith. :)
A Happy Prayer Day to you! :)
ReplyDeleteI used to think there was some kind of rule or guidelines for praying-- eyes closed, hands folded, thoughts formulated, etc. I still think there's a place for the formal prayer (like the Lord's prayer, for example), but I also think we can have a heart that is always mindful and aware (in my case, of God), like a conversation with a friend.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy this special time.
ReplyDelete