“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, KJV).
How can
I possibly pray continually throughout the day when I have other things that I
need to do–like a job or to take care of others? Is it possible? Yes, it is.
Because “praying without ceasing” is a state of mind and a state of spirit. The
state of my mind determines the state of my spirit. If I am yielded to Him,
then my mind is also yielded, and my spirit is willing. “Praying without
ceasing” is not going through my day constantly praying without taking care of
the responsibilities God has given me. It happens when my will (my mind) has
been yielded to His will. My mind has surrendered and has determined to be in a
state of anticipated prayer. My spirit is surrendered to His Spirit, and it is
ready at the moment His spirit within me calls for prayer. When He wishes me to
pray, I am at His immediate call. My spirit rests in a state of anticipated
prayer because I have surrendered my mind and my will.
Life is
fragile. I am constantly reminded of this fact. Friends and family pass away.
Accidents happen. Sickness comes. Suffering comes. Heartbreak comes. But He
tells me to “rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all
circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians
5:16-18, NIV). In this breakable life, He is the only unbreakable constant. No
matter what I face or what is to come, I will rejoice—I will pray continually,
and I will give thanks because it is His will. But it is more than just His
will. It is promise of love that as I give of myself He replenishes me with His
purpose and peace. To pray continually is His promise of peace. If I have
surrendered everything that brings joy or pain to Him through a yielded praying
heart, then His peace will rule. Yearning to be on call for prayer will also
rule in my heart, because I shall have experienced the miracle of His spirit
praying through me.
I will
stand ready for each prayer He beckons me to lay upon His altar. As I go
through the responsibilities of the day, my spirit, yielded to His Spirit, will
pray for what He has asked. My heart will rejoice in His call because I am in
His perfect will. I will give thanks from a heart that is owned by the Master,
and spirit-to-Spirit I will be complete.
Copyright 2017 Lynn Lacher
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