Kneel To Prevent Stumbling??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #102

“Confess your faults

one to another,

and pray

one for another,

that ye may be healed.

The effectual

fervent prayer

of a righteous man

availeth much.”  James 5:16

Prayer makes a difference, but oftentimes it isn’t what we think it is.  We think of “The Lord’s Prayer”, or one of Paul’s prayers, or going to church and bowing our heads, or even praying for someone in need; all of these things can be ‘prayer’, but there is so much more!  Paul hit the nail on the head.

In the midst of a long list of instructions to the Thessalonian believers, Paul helps us understand that prayer isn’t as restricted as we often think!  It’s not restricted to our “knees” or some of us senior citizens couldn’t pray, for our knees have long-since ceased to allow us to “kneel”, but I/we still pray.  For me, usually in my chair, in bed (but most often only to aid my sleep, for I know that praying and talking with God in bed will sooth my heart and mind and most often lead me into peaceful sleep–which is a good thing!)!  But don’t reserve your prayer time to bedtime or you’ll most often find that you fall asleep before you finish praying.  I often pray in my car where ‘me and Jesus’ (not good grammar but good theology–and with my eyes open!) have some of our best talks! Let’s peruse part of Paul’s list and then I’ll make a few comments and leave you to ponder these truths of prayer!

“Rejoice

evermore.

17 Pray

without ceasing.

18 In every thing

give thanks:

for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus

concerning you.

19 Quench

not the Spirit.”  1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

If I may, I’d like to just paraphrase a bit of this for us today, to kind of “put a handle on it” for us!

Rejoice–always have a spirit of joy, not giddy, silly disregard for circumstances, sorrow, or grief, but the spirit of Jesus in us coming out so others can see HIS power to give JOY even in the midst of sorrow!

Pray–always have a mindset of God’s presence, and a continual conversation with HIM…knowing that Jesus’ is with me even–no especially–in the times I don’t know what to do.  To remember that prayer is a two-way conversation and that listening to God’s voice is even more important than the sound of my own voice.  Always being ready to talk to God in the everyday circumstances of life–driving, washing dishes, planting flowers, or shopping (shopping is one of our greatest missed opportunities to hear God’s voice urging us to speak to someone, or see a person short of some cash in front of us) seeing opportunities to minister Jesus to ‘people’ in real ways, not just talk!  That’s praying ‘without ceasing’, not going around ever falling on our knees physically, but staying on our spiritual knees before God.  As I heard recently, “it’s hard to stumble on bended knees”!

Be thankful–not giddy in difficulty but having that permanent ‘attitude of gratitude’, ever knowing that God is working “all things” to make me more like Jesus–you know, The ONE who walked up Calvary’s hill for ME and YOU!  Using our resources, talents, and energies to serve God and others, not spending them whining (did I just say that?)

Yielding–to the will of God in all things, showing the world that when I say, “I trust HIM”, it shows!

Quench NOT–not being so busy that we don’t hear the voice of the Holy Spirit directing us in a particular direction–especially those we don’t expect!  Being in an attitude of prayer that keeps my heart open to God’s unexpected surprise opportunities of service.

All of these things are part of praying “without ceasing” –not going around with our eyes closed, but having a heart and mind set on God, talking to Him, listening when HE speaks, especially in that “still small voice”, directing us in unexpected ways and places!  Yet oh, what delight when we hear and obey, and watch God work where we never expected it or saw it before.  God’s always on HIS throne, waiting for us to heed the opportunity to be with HIM and reflect HIS glory to a lost and dying world!

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

Praying for YOU!  Amen and Amen!!!