We are back in town after spending a few days traveling with our son, daughter-in-law and two very, very sweet granddaughters. Genny and Audrey are 5 and 3, just the ages where everything they say seems to either be the smartest thing you think you've ever heard come out of a child's mouth or the funniest! I think you can tell that they bring me joy! They make my heart happy and I truly count them as such a heavenly blessing to my life! Seeing Genny thoroughly enjoy the production of "Mary Poppins" that we attended was such a treat, as was watching Audrey's ear-to-ear smile in the hotel pool! Memories to treasure!
"Pray constantly." Sounds rather unrealistic, doesn't it? Are we actually being instructed to be in solitude with God 24/7? Weren't Jesus' instructions to "go into your room and close the door"? How can we be in that kind of position and continue on with life?
Jesus' instructions were given to counter the public, and very showy, prayers of the Pharisees. I believe He was saying to keep our deep conversations with God to our private times with Him, and not to go on and on in our public prayers. Conversely, I think Paul is telling us that we are to be in a spirit of prayer always. That our troubled thoughts are to be replaced with a confident prayer.
Prayer is the conduit for the power source of our life...God. Prayer brings Him into our life, and into our thoughts. Prayer focuses our minds on Him, rather than on here. Whatever it is that is troubling us, God is bigger than and when we shift our thought process to Him, He overcomes.
Also, prayer is our method for thanksgiving and praise. Whenever we have a moment of true joy (such as those I experienced this weekend), we are to pause and give thanks to God for blessing our life in such a manner. To remind ourselves that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. To savor His presence in that moment of joy in the acknowledgement of His goodness toward us.
Robert J. Morgan says, "When we cultivate a consciousness and subconsciousness of God's abiding presence, it becomes natural to speak to Him spontaneously through the day. We learn to pray as we walk on the greenways and drive down the highways. We start and close each day with a word of prayer. We pause to pray before meals and after meetings. We never endeavor anything of significance without breathing a word of prayer or praise."
This is the lifestyle of praying constantly that Paul leads us toward. It is the constant acknowledgement of God and His abiding presence in our lives. He is with us always.
"Pray constantly." Sounds rather unrealistic, doesn't it? Are we actually being instructed to be in solitude with God 24/7? Weren't Jesus' instructions to "go into your room and close the door"? How can we be in that kind of position and continue on with life?
Jesus' instructions were given to counter the public, and very showy, prayers of the Pharisees. I believe He was saying to keep our deep conversations with God to our private times with Him, and not to go on and on in our public prayers. Conversely, I think Paul is telling us that we are to be in a spirit of prayer always. That our troubled thoughts are to be replaced with a confident prayer.
Prayer is the conduit for the power source of our life...God. Prayer brings Him into our life, and into our thoughts. Prayer focuses our minds on Him, rather than on here. Whatever it is that is troubling us, God is bigger than and when we shift our thought process to Him, He overcomes.
Also, prayer is our method for thanksgiving and praise. Whenever we have a moment of true joy (such as those I experienced this weekend), we are to pause and give thanks to God for blessing our life in such a manner. To remind ourselves that every good and perfect gift comes from Him. To savor His presence in that moment of joy in the acknowledgement of His goodness toward us.
Robert J. Morgan says, "When we cultivate a consciousness and subconsciousness of God's abiding presence, it becomes natural to speak to Him spontaneously through the day. We learn to pray as we walk on the greenways and drive down the highways. We start and close each day with a word of prayer. We pause to pray before meals and after meetings. We never endeavor anything of significance without breathing a word of prayer or praise."
This is the lifestyle of praying constantly that Paul leads us toward. It is the constant acknowledgement of God and His abiding presence in our lives. He is with us always.
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