Day 496: Praying Without CeasingRomans 1:9-10a
God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times...
Thoughts for Today:The word "constantly" is translated from the Greek word "adialeiptos" which means, "uninterruptedly, that is without omission -- without ceasing". So how does anyone pray without ceasing? That would be like swallowing or breathing. Imagine every time you took a breath today -- holding someone up to God in prayer at the same time -- then we get a feel for what Paul is saying. It's a pretty interesting study to look at all the people Paul mentions in his letters for whom he is praying -- it's a very long list. You can be sure he was exceptionally organized, disciplined and maintained a journal to help keep track.
My wife Sherry is the mentor for a group of high school girls which she meets with regularly. Last night she got home at 9:30 pm (the meeting was supposed to end at 9:00). She told me the girls kept wanting to talk about their study and when she called an end to the discussion at 9:00, they all said, "But we haven't written in our prayer journals yet!" So on it went.
Sherry is quite the prayer warrior and one of the things she teaches (to a whole new generation of young women), is the value of a disciplined prayer life (using a prayer journal to help keep track). I am amazed at their enthusiasm. It's hard to imagine a bunch of high school girls getting excited about praying for each other, their families, friends, community, and country -- but they do. I guess that's what faithful leadership is all about.
Questions to Ponder:What is the condition of your prayer life? Do you truly believe God answers prayers? One of the best ways to have a real, tangible answer to that question is to record not only who or what you pray for, but the ultimate result of God's answer. It will increase your faith immeasurably. It only takes a little discipline. Do you have a journal? Today when you pray -- record it. Tomorrow, review what you prayed about -- any answers? Record again. Think about what you will have written and experienced by the end of the year, in five years, etc. If that doesn't excite you, I don't know what will. Prayer is one way we have to touch and experience the Almighty God.
God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times...
Thoughts for Today:The word "constantly" is translated from the Greek word "adialeiptos" which means, "uninterruptedly, that is without omission -- without ceasing". So how does anyone pray without ceasing? That would be like swallowing or breathing. Imagine every time you took a breath today -- holding someone up to God in prayer at the same time -- then we get a feel for what Paul is saying. It's a pretty interesting study to look at all the people Paul mentions in his letters for whom he is praying -- it's a very long list. You can be sure he was exceptionally organized, disciplined and maintained a journal to help keep track.
My wife Sherry is the mentor for a group of high school girls which she meets with regularly. Last night she got home at 9:30 pm (the meeting was supposed to end at 9:00). She told me the girls kept wanting to talk about their study and when she called an end to the discussion at 9:00, they all said, "But we haven't written in our prayer journals yet!" So on it went.
Sherry is quite the prayer warrior and one of the things she teaches (to a whole new generation of young women), is the value of a disciplined prayer life (using a prayer journal to help keep track). I am amazed at their enthusiasm. It's hard to imagine a bunch of high school girls getting excited about praying for each other, their families, friends, community, and country -- but they do. I guess that's what faithful leadership is all about.
Questions to Ponder:What is the condition of your prayer life? Do you truly believe God answers prayers? One of the best ways to have a real, tangible answer to that question is to record not only who or what you pray for, but the ultimate result of God's answer. It will increase your faith immeasurably. It only takes a little discipline. Do you have a journal? Today when you pray -- record it. Tomorrow, review what you prayed about -- any answers? Record again. Think about what you will have written and experienced by the end of the year, in five years, etc. If that doesn't excite you, I don't know what will. Prayer is one way we have to touch and experience the Almighty God.
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