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."

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All Things Work Together . . .