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).