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Tuesday, February 5, 2008

1 Thessalonians 5:17

"Pray without ceasing."

I pray when I see someone on the side of the road with car trouble. (Then I call roadside assistance) . I prayed, Oh Lord did I pray, when Sam was found in his family's pool. I pray when I see my children struggle with life . . . and people. I pray for wisdom. I pray when my husband or son drive out of the driveway - every morning. I prayed when my parents divorced. I pray when I think of children sold into sexual slavery. Then I cry.

"Pray without ceasing."

I prayed when I saw a giant man walk out of a convenience store with a bottle of Jack Daniels in one hand and a stack of "magazines" in the other. I pray for wisdom. I pray when I think that I have disappointed God. I pray when I talk to someone who is so confused about the Father's love that they begin to believe the enemy's lies. I pray as I witness sweet, Godly friends crumble under the weight of a family member's choices. I prayed when people I love experienced all the hell a divorce can deliver - I still pray for their children.

"Pray without ceasing."

I pray for a neighbor who is a single parent of 4 teens. I pray for wisdom. I pray when I hear about someone struggling with deep depression. I pray for people I've met who are bound by anger, fear, confusion, loneliness and mountains of doubt. I prayed for a neighbor whose daughter was murdered. Then we cried on my porch. I prayed when the planes hit the towers. When the towers fell, I was speechless - but He heard me.

"Pray without ceasing."

I pray for two little boys whose mom is Brittany Spears. I pray for Brittany and others like her. I pray when I see another commercial for "America's Next Top Model" as they feed young men and women lies about modesty and womanhood. I pray for "Madame ________" who is a fortune teller working a few miles from where I live.

"Pray without ceasing."

I pray when I see my children lift their hands in worship. I pray when I see children of divorce forgive and thrive. I pray when I hear about Sam learning to walk and talk again because thousands of people talked to God about him. I pray when my son and husband drive up. I pray when I read the testimony of a former "magazine" addict who now loves Jesus. I pray when a homeless man shows up at church because someone in our church served him in the street.

"Pray without ceasing."

I prayed when my parents reconciled. I pray because I've been set free - really free. I pray for a small church whose members adopted over 60 special needs foster kids. I pray when I begin to see my children walk in their Kingdom purpose. I pray for wisdom. I pray for Christians who have made it their life's work to rescue children in foreign nations from slavery. I pray for organizations that feed the hungry. I pray as a team of humble musicians usher in the presence of God and transform the atmosphere of the building! I pray for those who know that is isn't about comfort, but service . . . and then they serve. I pray for those people whom God has raised up for such a time as this - and for those He will raise up. I pray as I realize that it may very well be that time - now - that Peter spoke of in Acts 2:16-17:

"But this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out of My Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy and your young men shall see visions and your old men shall dream dreams."

I pray when God reminds me that everything is in His very capable hands.

"Pray without ceasing."






Visit Darnelle at her personal blog:
All Things Work Together . . .

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14 Comments:

Blogger Naomi said...

AMEN!!

February 5, 2008 at 2:07 AM  
Blogger Denise said...

Such a beautiful post, thank you.

February 5, 2008 at 4:08 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

wow. A powerful reminder to pray. Thank you.

February 5, 2008 at 5:28 AM  
Blogger Praise and Coffee said...

Darnelle,
I'm so touched by the power of your words and prayers. It drives me to my knees.
Thank you for this exhortation.
I'm praying too,
Sue

February 5, 2008 at 5:39 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Thank you for a wonderful reminder of the many things we can pray for. We have opportunities all around us!

Hope

February 5, 2008 at 7:21 AM  
Blogger Sister Honey Bunch/Judi maloney said...

Hallelujah and Amen. That was fab. I'm off to pray now.

February 5, 2008 at 7:48 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I used to think to "Pray without ceasing" seemed impossible. How could anyone pray that long? But, as I have grown in my walk, I now see, like you, that there is an endless supply of things to pray for!! We could start at sun up and not even half done by sun down!

Thanks for this excellent reminder! When we look at the world like you do, we are never at a loss of what to pray for!!

February 5, 2008 at 8:27 AM  
Blogger windycindy said...

I love you commentary on prayer! Today I was waiting for the rain to slow down before leaving a store, I saw an elderly man with a cane trying to make it across to the store and it took him about ten minutes. I was going to help him, but someone else beat me to it. Boy,was I glad he didn't fall in the rain! Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

February 5, 2008 at 12:08 PM  
Blogger Amico Dio said...

You are awesome... your words always touch my heart.

I am so glad that God put you in my life. I know that we struggled through some of the same things and at the same time and I thank God that we were able to pray for each other. Though we had different endings... they are both happy and God ordained! I'm so glad that you are my friend and I am so glad that Sam is ok. I love you, girl!

February 5, 2008 at 12:38 PM  
Blogger Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

Darnelle,

I'm speechless. This is the most beautiful expression of 'prayer without ceasing' that I've ever seen. And I know you are a praying woman because I have felt your prayers for me. Thank you for making yourself available to do that on my behalf.

Love you friend!!

Lisa

February 5, 2008 at 1:58 PM  
Blogger Mocha with Linda said...

Wow. That is a great and practical example of prayer in every situation. Thanks for sharing.

February 5, 2008 at 2:41 PM  
Blogger Mary Lou said...

What wonderful reminders to pray. Thank you. I have learned to pray without ceasing the longer i walk with Him, I prayed tonight as i watched a tornado touch down south of here. prayed for it to disperse and get off the ground and to protect people......Pray for the area in Memphis, TN several tornadoes touchdown and do damage.There are more storms are on their way. Pray when you read this....Blessings and thanks...Mary Lou dlowran1(at)comcast(dot)net

February 5, 2008 at 6:44 PM  
Blogger Aunt Angie said...

Oh Darnelle, I didn't need to cry just yet...I still have my contacts in....but I can't seem to stop. You have touched on/no---slammed into the very thing that God has been dealing with me about. Praying. My prayer life.
I loved your words...."it's not about comfort...it's about service." Can I say I just love you! Can I say that you have ministered to my heart in a way I have NEEDED all day long!
I just posted my devotion for Wednesday...mostly about what God is doing in Wanda's life....and for the past 4 days...the fluid has been building again. Darnelle, we have bombarded heavens gates with prayers for her. My church, many other churches have had special prayer services for her. A mighty move of God on Sunday night in our home church where we grew up on Wanda's behalf. To see God move in her life. I am broken and in tears right now after reading you "praying with ceasing". My tears though, fall into the very hand of Jesus---because I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that your post was meant to be next to mine. He has worked this out before. You have ministered to me so many times with your words. Thank you Darnelle---for such an obedient heart----and praying without ceasing.
I love you.

February 5, 2008 at 9:30 PM  
Blogger Cindy Swanson said...

What a wonderful post, Darnelle! It really convicted me about my own prayer life. You demonstrated how it should be no problem for us to pray without ceasing.

Thanks for the message!

February 8, 2008 at 11:32 PM  

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