“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” – (Luke 18:1 NIV)
Many times, we are driven to prayer by the happenings, especially unexpected, unwanted, and undesirable happenings, and untimely, shocking news accounts. For some, our prayer lives become heightened for the moment and perhaps at most for a few days. For some, we just pray on the day of the happening, instead of just happening to mention what happened in our regular habit of prayer.
A couple of days ago, while watching the news, I heard the reporting of the tragic shooting in Nashville. Commendable were the words of the many city officials and municipal police officers, as they stood at the microphone and expressed their empathetic comments and especially as they encouraged everyone to pray. One official said, “Down here, we still believe in prayer. That’s what we do. So we are asking you to pray.” That’s just one example of important people instilling in the minds of intently listening ears to incline their voices to heaven and pray. I’m sure in the community of believers, believers across the world, there was an acknowledgment of their admonition and actually did exactly what they were asked to do, that is to pray.
In the first paragraph I used the words, “in our regular habit of prayer.” We should have a regular habit of prayer. That habit, at a minimum should be daily, but praying always in all circumstances will make our habit of prayer unpredictable. Saints pray always, right? I wonder how much more impact the officials and officers who asked the community to pray would have had if they had added one word, “Keep.” Yes, I wonder what impact it would have had if they had said, “Keep praying.”
Some of you go to mid-week prayer meeting. Our corporate prayer meeting is on Monday evenings. The prayers spoken by those who recognize the power of prayer are touching and encouraging on those occasions. But make sure that you keep praying. You may pray morning, noonday, and night. But make sure you keep praying. You were supposed to just bless the food, but something came over you and you prayed like you were standing at the altar. That’s okay, but keep praying!
Some are fasting during this time of the year called Lent, where they have committed to praying in the place of what they will refrain to do for 40 days. But I say unto you, after Lent, keep praying.
Prayer makes a difference. And even though the Lord knows what we need before we ask, and even though He already gets a jump start on intervening in our situations and happenings in life, He desires that we pray. Therefore, I will say it again, “Keep praying.”
Have a wonderful Wednesday. Know that when I pray, I will remember to pray for you. I think my purpose has been fulfilled this morning and I’m sure “the mainline” will be a little bit busier today! But that’s okay! The Lord can handle them all! Be blessed!
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12 NIV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King