Continually

 I know that in this past week God has answered prayers. Maybe some situations have seemed almost impossible to sort out, but speaking with God about them has resulted in amazing answers to those prayers from the heart. This got me thinking about prayer. Now I know there are loads of books, commentaries and studies on prayer, but I found myself dwelling on just a couple of thoughts.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 it says be joyful, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all
circumstances ……. I reflected about praying without ceasing or as it says in some versions, ‘praying continually’ and wondered about that. After all, if we are on our knees all day praying, not a lot would get done and we would be wearing out our knees or even our knee pads!  I soon realised that it meant a call to cultivate a certain life-style, a life-style not dependant on favourable circumstances, but a result of faith and trust in God.
You see, it doesn’t mean constantly “talking” to God, but a heart-felt awareness of God’s
presence enabling us to have a continuous spirit of prayer. We need to develop the habit of turning to Him in all situations, not waiting until after something’s happened and then asking God to help clear up the mess. God wants us to communicate with Him or, more deeply, to commune with Him, He wants us to seek Him first.

If we walk with God daily He will hear us and respond in ways that are best for us and the
situations we pray for. Be prepared, for we know as a church fellowship, how God has
answered prayer, giving abundantly more than “we could ask or imagine by God’s power at work within us”. Ephesians 3:20.

In Psalm 116:2 we read, “Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have
breath!” What a picture that is of a loving father stooping down to give his full attention to his child, sharing their life and every thought with him.

Father God, hear our prayers as we walk continually with You.