Dear SCC & Friends,
…without ceasing… ~1 Thessalonians 5:17
Reflection #345
It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart. ~Anon.~ To pray without ceasing is impossible unless we realize that prayer is far more than an endless repetition of words. There is no record of the disciples asking Jesus to teach them how to heal, but they did ask Jesus to teach them to pray… Jesus modeled prayer… And in the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there. Mk 1:35 To pray without ceasing means our lives are so intertwined with God’s life that we are always aware of His presence, even when we are focused in our work. ~Richard Foster~ Prayer was the underpinning of the early church that changed the world… Prayer preceded Pentecost, ushering in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.…These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer… ~Acts 1:14 Prayer continued after Pentecost, relying on the ongoing work of the Spirit. …they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ~Acts 2:42
To pray without ceasing is to be embedded into our way of life. God does nothing redemptively in the world except through prayer. ~John Wesley~ Praying is highly personal and not just for “specialists”. It’s easy to relegate prayer to the intercessors and neglect our own responsibility before God. …pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. ~James 5:16 I don’t think we’ll ever know this side of heaven what role prayer played in directing our lives and saving our souls. Rather than just thinking or worrying about a situation, we are to pray looking for God’s resolve. Wishing is never a substitute for prayer. ~Anon.~This is our time to pray, intercede and inquire of the Lord. …but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus ~Philippians 4:6-7 Keep up the good work!
Made for these days,
Kevin