Thursday, June 3, 2010

Pray Continually

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

What does it mean to you to pray continually?

To me it means to be in constant conversation with my Lord. I try to chat with God and think about God as regularly as possible. It’s a switch I try to keep in the perpetual ‘on’ position.

I won’t tire Him out as I would a friend. I won’t shock Him or bore Him. It’s how I include Him in every aspect of my life.

I can kneel at His feet, I can bow my head and I can recite an eloquent prayer of worship. But I can also pause for a moment from what I’m doing and say, “Thank you,” and in that breath encompass everything. I don’t even have to stop. I can think of God while I work. I can praise Him while I write. I can glorify Him while I clean. I can offer my all in everything I do.

It is His desire that we share with Him all that we have. This is what it means to me to pray continually.

14 comments:

Anna Margaret said...

Hello Lynda from Sydney,
I am Anna from Southern CA.
Although we are a world apart,
as I read your post I am so blessed by your writing of the
awesomeness of our Lord.
So glad to meet you ...
God bless you
with His amazing love,
Anna Margaret ~

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Hi Anna Margaret from Southern CA. It's very nice to meet you. Thanks so much for stopping by, leaving a comment and following. I look forward to getting to know you a little better. God bless you also. :)

Cristi said...

Thank you for this post. I know somedays I go through my day and God can be the last one I talk to about something. Thank you for reminding me He is there. Don't get me wrong I know He is there but sometimes I need a gentle reminder to call on to Him.

Just Be Real said...

Amen Lyn. I am finding myself more these days praying and praying in the Spirit, as the attack of the enemy has been very strong in my life, and in connecting with my Heavenly Father through prayer, I know I am in His presence to ward off those firey darts. Thank you for the post. Blessings.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Cristi - I think we all need that reminder now and then :)

JBR - The only defence against that kind of attack is prayer. May you be surrounded by God's love and God's protection.

Jody Hedlund said...

I really need to add your devotion to my morning tab list! You have such a way of speaking to my heart, Lynda! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Lynda, I think you hit the nail on the head about the meaning of "pray continually" when you said, "It’s a switch I try to keep in the perpetual ‘on’ position". We need to stay "God conscious" every moment of the day.

God bless you and have a great day,

Ron

Kristine said...

Thanks a lot for the reminder, and thanks also for commenting my photo on my blog Light and Shadow.
Have a wonderful day!

Unknown said...

Lynda,

What a great reminder to stay in contact with the Lord - throughout the day.

Don't you love knowing that He never tires of hearing our voice, our stories, our complaints, and our praises!

I will be praying for you as you endure through on your writing projects! Oh, the highs and the lows!

Thanks for being a source of encouragement in my life. I pray that I will be able to encourage you as well.

Blessings...
Melanie

NanaNor's said...

Hi Lynda, I love this post and I feel like it echoes my own heart-I talk to the Lord so constantly, often just telling Him how much I love Him....loved your sharing.
Thanks.
Hugs, Noreen

Kathy M. said...

Amen to that! Hugs (and, of course, prayers) to you.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

yes to this...I don't always pray all the time but if I let it go too long...boy do I ever feel it. thanks Lynda for this awesome reminder.

Beth Herring said...

oh, indeed we need to maintain a spirit of prayer and an attitude of prayer always! Where would we be without the awesome power of prayer???

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Thanks Ron, Kristine, Noreen, Kathy and Sarah. Thanks for your comments and encouragement. Hugs to you all.

Jody, Thanks, that really means a lot.

Melanie, indeed when we write there are massive highs and terrible lows. Doubt is a terrible thing. I need to trust my Lord more in the area of writing. And yes, you are a great encouragememnt to me :)

Beth, I can't even imagine where we might be without the power of prayer.