‘What wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul.’
This quote from Corrie ten Boom, floated through my mind this morning as I was making cookie dough for the kids for their Christmas party.
I began to think about yesterday and how prayer played a vital part in the peace and the accomplishments of the day.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says; ‘pray without ceasing.’
This doesn’t mean you must continually be alone with God in your prayer room, that would be impossible. This doe mean that you should pray about everything along the path of your day.
Many people find it humorous that I pray about everything. I pray about what God wants me to do each day. If it is a special occasion I pray about what I am to wear. Before a meeting with someone I pray about what I am to say. I can honestly say I have a continual prayer conversation with God daily.
He is not just my God, He is my friend and we walk together and talk together. Yesterday was no different.
Breanne had some things she had to find for the kids Christmas party and ask me to ride with her. Off we went. We searched every store in our local area. We do not have a lot of options and we did not find what she needed.
By this time, it was almost dark. She said ‘the only place I know we can definitely find it is Hobby Lobby.’ While she was probably right, Hobby Lobby was an hour away in another city. A city that is very busy at that time of day and it would be even busier in the holiday season. Neither of us preferred this option, however it was our only choice.
As we headed out of town, Breanne began to pray over the trip to Cleveland. I listened to her praying and thought ‘now, that’s some of my fruit.’ Praise the Lord.
We arrived in Cleveland after a peace-filled drive. Before we arrived at Hobby Lobby, I prayed for good parking. I prayed that Bre would find what she needed quickly. She prayed that God would part the lines of the cashier as we approached to pay. Ha! Everything was covered in prayer.
We walked in and had what we needed in ten minutes or less. As Breanne went to get in line to pay, the cashier opened and we were next. God indeed answers prayers!
Finally, Breanne had to find Brailee a little sweater for her Christmas program. There were four different stores where she could ‘possibly’ find one, no guarantees. However, as we pulled into the mall, I began to pray.
I said ‘Father, speak clearly to Breanne and tell her where the sweater is, show he the right store to go into the first time and pick up the sweater for Brailee and make it a quick find.’
Breanne looked over at me and said ‘I’m going to try Belk first.’
She walked into Belk and a few minutes later walked out with the perfect sweater. Again, our faithful God answered prayers.
Heading back, we prayed for a peace-filled trip back with little traffic and that is exactly what we had. Prayers paved our way and made it an easy trip.
Now, I know it seems odd to some to pray about everything. I also realize some may think that God believes you should think for yourself and only speak to Him about the important things. However, I believe if it is important to me then it is important to Him as well.
This is what relationship is about. I don’t want to only serve God…I want to know God, I want a relationship with Him, a daily relationship. A moment by moment relationship. And that is one reason I pray without ceasing.
Pray without ceasing, this is a great word from the Bible, however it doesn’t end there. The scripture goes on to say… ‘in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’
Yes, we prayed along the way of our journey but we were also careful to give thanks each time our prayers were heard and answered.
Praying without ceasing and giving thanks…this is God’s will for me AND for you. Today, as you go about your day, try praying without ceasing and watch God put wings on your prayers. When He does hear and answer your prayers, remember to give thanks! It will change your day…it will change your life. Pray and give thanks!
