Be joyful always
Pray continually
Give thanks in all circumstances
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus -
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Been doing a lot of thinking about these verses. On a recent large class discussion – our instructor – sweet Dr. Toussaint mentioned “prayer is asking God, not talking to God!” This certainly made me think more of prayer and the context of “continually”. Do I really grasp what this means? Not only am I able to seek the Lord God of the Universe continually, but I am free to bring my requests to Him continually! No request is too small or too big! Dr. Toussaint went on to say “added to asking there is thanksgiving, praise, and worship, but prayer is asking”.
When Bruce and I first met my thinking changed. Bruce was in my thoughts first thing in the morning, throughout the day and when I crawled into bed at night. I wanted to be with him all the time. I wanted to share my thoughts, bounce ideas off him, find out his opinions, wants and desires. I knew I had someone to run to with problems. I had a champion in my corner to protect me and be there in hard times. These feelings have grown stronger over the last 39 years of being together.
There are times when communication breaks down. Life happens - I shut down and stop talking, stop sharing, stop taking time to touch, speak, and connect. I determine to do “it” on my own although Bruce is right at my side sharing the load, I develop tunnel vision and our relationship suffers. Just as in the same way my relationship suffers with the Lord if I “go my own way” and stop communication with Him.
How can “praying continually” make a difference?
Pray continually – my focus is continually on my Lord. I am free to share my concerns, my desires, my dreams with Him. I develop a complete dependence on Him, a reflex of running to Him with everything. My words then morph into thanksgiving and gratitude for His love and generosity. Praise and worship flow as I see who God is and begin to “know” Him in a life changing way. My thoughts change, my requests change, my desires change to His.
In “praying continually” I am not swayed by circumstances or by the many storms of life. I am firmly anchored and secure in my relationship with Him. My joy increases and is from Him, in Him and through Him. I then am able to “give thanks in all circumstances”!
Amazing, just amazing!
Amazing, just amazing!
