Scripture of the Day: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I set out to write on prayer, found the verses above and now feel like I could write separately on each one! But that is for another day...we will focus on the idea of praying continuously today.
I feel like I bad pray-er. I have good intentions and when I tell someone I will pray for them, I do. But it may only be once and then it disappears from my mind...or it may only be when I happen to see a Facebook status of someone in need and that sparks my memory. I pray throughout the day, but that is typically related to circumstances as they occur, or focus on my immediate family (most often husband and child). The bottom line is that I do not pray as often as I should, or about the things that I should.
My contemplation on prayer today came about because a mom's group I am part of here has its first meeting tomorrow. As usual, when something big comes up like that, I feel like the enemy attacks and feelings of uncertainty and panic rise up. BUT, what we are doing, we are doing for God and He always wins - so those feelings are unnecessary and often just cause us to lose sight of what is important. BUT (again), it doesn't hurt to pray and I realized that I have not been praying for this group daily. And then I realized there are a lot of things I don't pray about daily...and then came the conviction! (count the conjunctions in that paragraph and don't hate me for it :) )
I need a prayer journal. I need to write out a list of short term prayers and long term prayers and then I need to actually LOOK at that journal every night before I go to bed and pray for each and every person and thing on that list. And when prayers are answered, those prayers need to be moved to a "praise" list and I need to thank God for them! I need to do what the Bible says and "pray continually." Not just once and a while, but in a way that is regular and frequent. If you feel convicted of the same thing, please start a journal as well - only good can come from it.
Reader, I ask you to hold me accountable for this journal! When you see me, ask me about it.
I also encourage you to memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:17. It may be the shortest memory verse in the Bible. Pray continually. Memorize it and put it on your heart and in your head. God will do wonderful things if you do!
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father God, help me pray. Help me pray more often - about more things. Please do not let this conviction leave my heart...because I really do want to pray continually, as You tell me to. Help make this prayer journal a part of my daily life. Help these prayers invade my thoughts even when I am not looking at this journal. You want us to pray and petition to you for, and about, everything and I so want to do that! Help me remember...In Your name I pray. Amen.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
I set out to write on prayer, found the verses above and now feel like I could write separately on each one! But that is for another day...we will focus on the idea of praying continuously today.
I feel like I bad pray-er. I have good intentions and when I tell someone I will pray for them, I do. But it may only be once and then it disappears from my mind...or it may only be when I happen to see a Facebook status of someone in need and that sparks my memory. I pray throughout the day, but that is typically related to circumstances as they occur, or focus on my immediate family (most often husband and child). The bottom line is that I do not pray as often as I should, or about the things that I should.
My contemplation on prayer today came about because a mom's group I am part of here has its first meeting tomorrow. As usual, when something big comes up like that, I feel like the enemy attacks and feelings of uncertainty and panic rise up. BUT, what we are doing, we are doing for God and He always wins - so those feelings are unnecessary and often just cause us to lose sight of what is important. BUT (again), it doesn't hurt to pray and I realized that I have not been praying for this group daily. And then I realized there are a lot of things I don't pray about daily...and then came the conviction! (count the conjunctions in that paragraph and don't hate me for it :) )
I need a prayer journal. I need to write out a list of short term prayers and long term prayers and then I need to actually LOOK at that journal every night before I go to bed and pray for each and every person and thing on that list. And when prayers are answered, those prayers need to be moved to a "praise" list and I need to thank God for them! I need to do what the Bible says and "pray continually." Not just once and a while, but in a way that is regular and frequent. If you feel convicted of the same thing, please start a journal as well - only good can come from it.
Reader, I ask you to hold me accountable for this journal! When you see me, ask me about it.
I also encourage you to memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:17. It may be the shortest memory verse in the Bible. Pray continually. Memorize it and put it on your heart and in your head. God will do wonderful things if you do!
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father God, help me pray. Help me pray more often - about more things. Please do not let this conviction leave my heart...because I really do want to pray continually, as You tell me to. Help make this prayer journal a part of my daily life. Help these prayers invade my thoughts even when I am not looking at this journal. You want us to pray and petition to you for, and about, everything and I so want to do that! Help me remember...In Your name I pray. Amen.
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