Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
Pray without ceasing. -1 Thessalonians 5:17
Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 1-3
Brother Lawrence (1614-1691) felt intimately close to God as he humbly scrubbed pots and pans in the monastery kitchen. Certainly Brother Lawrence practiced specific times of devotional prayer. But what he found more life-transforming was prayer during the workday. In his devotional classic Practicing the Presence of God, he says, "It is a great delusion to think our times of prayer ought to differ from other times. We are as strictly obliged to cleave to God by action in the time of action as by prayer in the season of prayer." In short, he advocated that we "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17).
That's a helpful reminder, because sometimes we tend to compartmentalize our lives. Perhaps we pray only during church worship, small-group Bible study, family devotions, and personal quiet times. But what about during our workday? To pray on the job does not mean we have to fall to our knees with clasped hands and pray aloud. But it does mean that work decisions and relationships can be brought to God throughout the day.
Wherever we are and whatever we're doing, God wants to be a part of it. When prayer enters every aspect of our lives, who knows what God might do for His glory! - Dennis Fisher
Let's always keep the prayer lines open,
Knowing God is always there;
For we upon His name may call
Anytime and anywhere. -D. De Haan
True prayer is a way of life, not an emergency detour!
"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway." ~ Mother Teresa
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