Gosh it sounds hard work doesn’t it – the instruction in 1 Thessalonians 5 v 16-18, to pray without ceasing.
After all we have so much to do- go to work, look after the kids, get the shopping done, cook the meals, see family and friends, attend church services which quite often during these present times take place on zoom. Well the list is endless!!!
We are all different as to the times we feel it is best to get our daily prayer and bible study done.
I myself like to do it in the morning but quite often it means it can be a bit of a rush if I need to get out before lunch or I have to go to work.
Do you have a list of people that you are praying for? I have quite a long list of family, friends, work colleagues, neighbours, brothers and sisters in Christ, let alone praying for the church to grow or for wisdom for the leaders of our land.
My list is in a journal which has a great title on the cover “let your dreams blossom”.
I didn’t plan for this book to be my prayer list and jot book for Bible verses that I wish to remember and pray about. It was a gift from a friend but what a great title for a prayer list book-“let your dreams blossom”.
It makes me think of the verse Psalm 37 v 4 – take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
I think praying is delighting in the Lord because as you are praying you are talking to him, thanking him for all the good things in your life- telling him your troubles and thanking him that he is going to help you to sort out your problems plus help your friends and family.
Part of the delighting in Him is to be quiet and hear Him speak to you through the Holy Spirit – a word of encouragement perhaps from a Bible verse or a reminder of what He has done for you already, to make faith rise in your heart that He will help you again.
Now back to my long list of people to pray for, I shouldn’t really say it but now and again it can feel like a chore to work through a list of names but on the other hand I think God also likes disciplined routines in our lives as well.
I came across an article the other day about how to pray without ceasing and it gives some excellent tips on how we can fit prayer into our busy everyday lives.
I would like to share them with you.
- Begin with gratitude- Psalm 100 v 4 says – Enter His gates with thanksgiving and courts with praise, give thanks to Him and praise His name. Prayer doesn’t have to be asking for something, it can be thanking Him for something he has already done.
- We don’t need to make our prayers stiff and formal like we are speaking with our headmaster!! Prayer is simply a conversation. Talk to Him like you would a friend. Sit down with a cup of coffee and just let the words pour out, casually, simply. Just be real.
- Let your everyday chores become an act of worship for example as you fold your laundry pray for every member of your house as you fold their item of clothing or as you iron them. As you dust photos of your friends and family lift them up in prayer. Well I’m sure you can think of many chores where you could fit in a prayer or two whilst you are doing them. How about the washing up? Thank God for the food He has provided for you – pray for those who are in want.
- Tell Him what he already knows. When my child was first in kindergarten, I realised that although I had a pretty good idea of what she did at school, I didn’t need to know the details. But when she told me how she and Jacob had played at recess, or laughed as she tried to tell me the story that her teacher had read to her that day, it deepened the connection with my daughter. I got to see her life through her eyes and I revelled in her unique perspective. Of course God already knows what is in our hearts, but when we offer our thoughts to Him, it turns what may be a solitary life into a richer more meaningful relationship. And I think God delights in this.
- Pray while you wait. A quick online research reveals that we each average two years of our lives waiting in line, and the average commuter spends 38 hours a year in traffic. Turn your car into a prayer closet – on the funny side better to be praying than swearing and cursing the folks in the car in front!!!! Or whisper prayers to God as you wait in the long line at the supermarket checkout instead of huffing and puffing about there aren’t enough tills open or someone with a trolley stacked high with groceries got ahead of you when you only have one or two items!!!
- Sing a song of praise- James 5 v 16 – Is anyone among you in trouble? Then let him pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Often we think of prayer as something to do when we want God to fix something, or when we are unhappy. But the Bible encourages us to pray at all times. Remember the idea of praying being like a radio playing in the background at all times? Make that literal by listening to worship music. As you sing along offer it to God as your prayer. Recently we had prayer for the nation. We enjoyed singing the words of ‘Heal our nation’ as a prayer- Lord heal our nation – pour out Your Spirit on this land. Nobody is listening except Him so don’t worry if you’re out of tune!!
- When you mess up, admit it. I don’t know about you but I could spend most of my praying without ceasing time bringing up all my failures. Luckily when we confess, God forgives us so we don’t need to dwell there. Another reason to praise Him.
- Give up worrying. Philippians 4 v 6 says – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Next time something weighs heavily on your heart, envisage yourself extending it up to God and letting Him hold it for you. Ask Him what your role is and if there is something you need to do. If so do it; but don’t take back the weight of the worry. Then start thanking God for who He is and what He has already done for you and you will feel the weight lifting up as the words come.
- Stop talking once in a while and just listen. Matthew 6 v 7 – and when you pray, do not keep babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. The number or quality of the words you use does not matter, because prayer is about God not us. Allow yourself to feel the nearness of God. Trust that He is your constant companion. Don’t monopolise the dialogue, but just spend your time at His feet listening to him and enjoying His company. The best conversations are two sided but you won’t hear anything if you don’t stop to listen.
In 1968 Aretha Franklin had a hit record with the song “I say a little prayer for you”.
Aretha definitely had got the idea of how to fit prayer into her busy day. I will leave you with the lyrics of her song.
The moment I wake up, before I put on my makeup, I say a little prayer for you.
While combing my hair now and wondering what dress to wear now, I say a little prayer for you.
I run for the bus dear, while riding I think of us dear, I say a little prayer for you.
At work I just take time and all through my coffee break time, I say a little prayer for you.
Thank you for taking the time to read.
My wish is that this article will bless you.
Have a good day.