Never Stop Praying

Scripture:
"Never stop praying" 1 Thessalonians 5:17

As I have mentioned in earlier blogs, on Wednesday nights my wife and I attend two different churches. Not because we believe different things but because she works in Anaheim and we live in Rosemead, and she would never make it home in time for us to go together to a mid-week service. In addition, my grandson Seth goes to a Christian School in Anaheim so they both go to a Four Square church down there. That evening is also when the children have their Royal Ranger meetings. (Royal Rangers is like a Christian version of the Boy Scouts.)

Seth really likes going to the Christian School to Royal Rangers. He is learning so much in these places that he is always amazing us with the new songs and Bible verses he is learning. We are very thankful for this opportunity he has to learn so much about the Lord.

My wife began brining home "assignments" that Seth had to do for Royal Rangers. One assignment particularly sticks out in my mind happened about 3 months ago. Basically they were sheets of paper with either drawing or making crafts intermingled with teaching a Bible verse or Christian principle. Every couple of weeks he brings something else for us to do together. This particular assignment was to memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:17. In the King James Version it says, "pray without ceasing". However in the children's version he brought home it says, "never stop praying." He has really learned this verse and a couple of other verses and anytime I ask him what does 1 Thessalonians 5:17 say, he immediately repeats, "never stop praying."

It makes me think that in order to "never stop praying" we need to first start praying. But it seems that sometimes our lives get so busy, the only place I can pray is during the 15 minutes I have in the car driving to and from work. However, a couple of months ago I wanted to "motivate" me a little more so I purchased a prayer shawl over the Internet. It came with a zippered pouch to store it and I researched the Internet about how to properly use it.

It sits on the kitchen table on top of my Bible now, and every night, just before I go to bed, it reminds me to spend more time praying and a couple of times a week I put it on and pray as I either walk, in the back yard, or in the living room.

Now I don't think the prayer shawl makes me any more spiritual, but I do think it reminds me of my commitment to spend more time with my Lord in prayer.

Request:
That we spend more time comuning with our Lord in prayer.

Prayer:
Dear Lord. We love you, and you know how noisy our lives are. Yet, you wait patiently to commune with us and to listen to our us. Thank you for sending us your Holy Spirit to teach us. Amen