Devotion 1: Praying Constantly
Hebrews 10:19 tells us that we can boldly come to God anytime we are in need. Most of us have no trouble with that! If we are in need, we run to Him. While this is good and right to do, the Bible also tells us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The idea of praying continually means that we are always praying. At first read, that seems an impossible thing to do. How will I ever get anything done (at work, at home, with the kids, etc.) if I am praying all the time?
Where do you pray most?
The command to "pray without ceasing" does not mean that we must kneel next to our bed all day or sit with our heads bowed and eyes closed for hours on end. It’s telling us to make prayer our attitude, to be constantly ready to talk to the Lord about anything, all things. And this is possible because prayer does not require a certain posture, such as sitting, kneeling, or lying down. It does not require our eyes to be closed or our hands folded. It does not require specific or scripted words to be effective. To pray is to simply connect to the Lord in a relational way. To pray without ceasing is to be continually connecting with Him throughout the day in whatever happens. As an example: Before you make or take that phone call, pause to send up (audibly or inaudibly) a prayer of need: “Lord, fill me with Your Spirit, help me to honor You.” After you make that call, let a quick, “Thank You Lord for Your leading,” pass from your heart to His. As you’re driving, lift the members of your family and their needs before the Lord. When you get home, ask Him to move among your family, and on and on we could go.
What are some examples of simple ways you have prayed? How God has answered this week?
Now, to be this connected to any human being would very likely exhaust that person! But not so with our Lord. He invites this. He wants this. He wants us to be this connected and more with Him. We are never exhausting Him! Many people have the idea that they have a limited number of prayer requests they can use in their lifetimes. They don’t take the small things to God (i.e., lost car keys) because they want to make sure that when something big happens, and they really need Him, they haven’t “used up” His attention. This is a very human way of thinking and is not at all who God is. He wants you to come to Him to find your car keys, just as much as He wants you to bring to Him your sick child. In each thing, we have His entire focus. He does not need to split His focus among eight billion people. You have His full attention as you come to Him. Think of it: you (yes, you) have the full attention of God Almighty, and He is never tired of giving it to you. This is why Hebrews 10 tells us to "draw near," and to "have confidence to enter," His presence, because He invites you to do so. So, do it, go to the Lord all day, throughout the day. Be in connection with Him. Pray without ceasing.