Pray Without Ceasing

Pray without ceasing

When all else fails, pray. It’s good to pray when all else fails, but why wait? Pray before failure, pray in the midst of my circumstance, and pray when the circumstance seems lost; God hears me pray. Pray without ceasing. I will not cease to pray. I will not tire of praying. I will not give up on God. Praying is a choice…I choose to pray. But why pray to God? I’ve never seen Him, yet He’s ever present in my life. Time after time, He has intervened in my life; I’m a witness to His grace and mercy. I believe this is the confidence of faith the Apostle John writes about: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” -- 1 John 5:14 God hears us! How remarkable is that? Almighty God chooses to hear us! I began my Christian journey hopeful, thankful, and joyous; but I was also filled with uncertainty. Does God hear me? What about my past? I was constantly reminded of what I’d done, instead of what Christ accomplished. In time, I came to realize I was forgiven; I was freed to come boldly to the Throne of Grace to find help in my time of need. Praying isn’t based on how I feel; prayer is my choice. Paul said, “I press on”. No matter what happens, my choice is to press on (i.e., pray on); no matter how I feel. “Never stop praying.” -- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Every circumstance I face in life is an opportunity to ask God to hear me; it’s my God-given opportunity to pray. I can call a family member, a friend, or a professional counselor, but sometimes, the only response is their voice mail. They can call me at critical times in their life, but I may be unavailable, too busy, or just not in the mood. None of us can claim that we hear everything someone says to us. God hears! Don’t be hesitant, don’t stop. Keep praying, God hears you.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).

More Grace

God's reach has no limits

I’m driving down I-695, talking with God; asking for His grace and blessing. In my feeble mind, I want an answer…waiting…waiting…waiting. The Holy Spirit joins the conversation and points out where, when, and how God extended grace to me. Have I been sleeping? How could I not see Jehovah Jireh providing on my behalf? “But He gives us more and more grace…” I remember watching how an airplane refuels in flight. The fuel plane extends a hose which connects to the plane’s fuel tank. God is greater than a fuel plane, His grace has no limits to His extent; He extends to us more and more grace. What is grace? Whatever grace is, God give us more and more of it. Joy, pleasure, delight, peace, good will, loving kindness, concern, care, provision, hope, and life. Grace is all this which God gives and more! God commits Himself to us! He gives Himself to us! Grace cannot be summed up in one word, or a lifetime of words. Have you ever sought the Lord as Paul did when he had a thorn in the flesh? Well, I have! And the word of the Lord resonated in my spirit just as it did in Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you...” Sometimes the distance between me and God appears so vast, and yet, His grace extends beyond that distance! “...Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think...” God isn’t just able to do, He gives us more and more grace! Poem by MTJ

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).

Ask

Ask God, image by whispersfortheheart.files.wordpress.com

Ask… I always seem to be asking, seeking, or needing an answer. I love answers to my petitions. I read in the bible God’s word which offers me encouragement Jesus says, “Ask…”     So I ask. On my knees, I ask. Sitting in my room, I ask. Standing in agreement, I ask. Nothing will hinder me from asking. I am adopted by God, a member of His family. Sometimes, I ask my Heavenly Father… There are times when I will ask my Savior, Jesus Christ. There are times when I will ask the Holy Spirit. Yes, No, or Not now...     He answers, always, He answers. Morning, noon, or night…     I ask. Poem by MTJ

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).

Assumptions

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France

Sometimes, I go through the stages of my life making assumptions and I am so wrong… Last Friday, I headed to my local airport to fly out to Paris.     I had my ticket…     I had my bag packed…     I assumed it would go as smoothly as any other trip I’d taken…     I assumed wrong. I could not fly out because my passport expired in January. What to do? I asked the ticket agent for advice She said, "go to the State Department and tell them it was an emergency" My flight was changed to a 2:30PM departure Now, I must dash from Baltimore to Washington, DC and return before 2:30PM I prayed, asking God to help me. I arrived at the State Department, and a young lady asked, “Do you have an appointment?” I looked at her and replied, Here’s the thing… She told me to fill out the paperwork and get a passport photo I would be fit into the schedule of those who had scheduled appointments I assumed I would just walk in and get my passport renewed. I assumed wrong. I prayed, asking God to expedite the process Three hours later, I headed back to Baltimore with my new passport Hoping to make that 2:30PM flight I arrived at the ticket counter and the agent looked at me and said, “This flight is for departure at Washington National Airport” I couldn’t believe what I heard, so I asked again… What did you say? It was mostly rhetorical because I knew exactly what I heard There is no way I will make that flight! Do you have any suggestions? “Go to the airport sir, there are departure flights every hour” I prayed, asking God to help me get on that flight. A part of me felt I was asking too much of God, but… Who else could I ask? Ninety minutes later, I arrive at Washington National assuming… I had already missed my 2:30PM departure I assumed wrong The flight was delayed I arrived at the gate and was told to board the plane I assumed I would have to wait for everyone else to board I assumed wrong. I sat down and closed my eyes… Realizing that God had seen every one of these events far in advance… God was aware of every second that would unfold for me. God never assumes… God is never wrong. Tonight, I will attend Good Friday service in Paris. No assumptions... Just a desire to trust and thank God for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Blessings to all of you this Easter!

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).