Be Ready!
Image by Esther L.
Dear Club Members and Readers,
Today I would like to look at two aspects of 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Sometimes I feel that as Christians we struggle with these words of the Holy Spirit given to us by the Apostle Paul; how can we literally pray without ceasing? I can't talk to a friend? What about when we are admonished to speak to one another with songs and hymns and spiritual songs (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16)? Here are two perspectives that I have learned and want to share with you!
1. Keep God as your Audience
Child of God, He sees you. He counts the hairs on your head (Luke 12:7). And Jesus said that we will give an answer for every empty word we speak (Matthew 12:36), thus indicating that God HEARS EVER WORD that comes from our mouths!
What is Jesus hearing you say? When you are walking and talking with a friend, when you are frustrated with a younger sibling (maybe they wrecked your beautiful "Lego" house, or interrupted your few minutes of free time), when you are speaking to the store cashier, or the bum on the street. Is GOD your AUDIENCE?
Imagine with me that you are asked to give a public speech. Would you not consider and inquire into WHO your audience is, before you start to speak? Choosing your words appropriate to the audience? I'm sure that you would! I recently heard this concept from a Christian sister and I am impressed with the conviction that I need to think about my GREATER Audience (God). Let us keep in mind as we go about our days, that Jesus is listening to you and I. Let's be sure to think and speak in ways that bring Him joy; joy because we are speaking things that are uplifting those around us, cheering them, encouraging them, speaking to them of the Hope, Peace, Love and Comfort found in God!
If I come into a room and see that my audience is my sister that just pulled my hair or destroyed my reputation, let's remember that God is there ALSO, and He's listening. He's CHEERING YOU ON to speak forgiveness and kindness! Jesus bore what we feel (Hebrews 4:14-16), and HE WANTS to HELP us overcome those painful and hateful words that want to come out, but giving us Peace and Loving words for them! So PRAY! As we call out to Him from our hearts, let's face the audience before us, knowing that Jesus is there too, listening and smiling at us as we talk the way He did!
2. Always be Ready to Pray
One time someone connected a girl from another state with me. She called me, with a burden on her heart, seeking advice, and I was like, "Listen, I have NO idea. I literally cannot tell you what to do, BUT! Can I pray for you right now? God worked things out, and long story short, we're really the closest friends now! Amazing. All the time we remember with delight how we became friends; just recently she told me how someone asked her "HOW did you meet so-and-so?!" And she recounted how prayer got us together. Wow, right?!
Here's another story: After church one Sabbath, my family was driving to a lake for the afternoon. On the way, we came up to where traffic was stopped (tragically there had been an accident), and we stopped our car. In front of us was a small car, in front of it, a pickup. We watched as a lady climbed out of the pickup and went over to the car. She was extremely stressed--that was obvious. At first I thought she was really angry, but it very soon became obvious that she was crying. The car turned around and began driving in the direction from which it came. I felt this tremendous impression that I needed to go and offer to pray with the lady from the pickup.
Now, if you know me, you know that that was COMPLETELY OUTSIDE of my comfort zone. However, God gave me the strength! Praise Him! I made the decision to obey, got out of the car (still dressed in church clothes!) and made my way over to the lady who was just sobbing. I said something like "Obviously something is really burdening you, can I pray for you please?" And she chokingly nodded and said "Yes, please!" I went to put my arm around her, and she grabbed me into a tight hug, sharing that her son was dying in the pickup and because of the road block she couldn't make it to the hospital! Oh wow! Now I felt the situation and prayed. But just as I was finishing to pray, she kind of lifted her head and whispered "They're here." I finished and opened my eyes, a fire truck* had come to ESCORT HER!!! WOW. PRAISE GOD. "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." ~Isaiah 65:24 KJV She thanked me so deeply, then jumped into her truck and drove away!
I walked back to our vehicle, drying tears and just awed at what had happened. What if I had not had prayed with her? I often wish that I knew the rest of the story, but as I imagine the two of us--complete strangers--standing in the middle of the highway, surrounded by cars upon cars, locked in a hug, crying and praying together--I see something so BEAUTIFUL. This is really one of my favorite life experiences!
So, I want to encourage you, dear reader, ALWAYS BE READY TO PRAY. If that is a silent "Prayerrrow" (Prayer + Arrow = a Prayer that is shot to Heaven REALLY FAST) as one person called it, or if it is praying with a complete stranger because God asked you to, or if it is praying at the end of Sabbath School, or with a sibling who is stressed over an exam, be ready--and do it! It isn't hard to talk to God, He LOVES to hear from us! Just say what is ON your heart! It can be as simple as: "Dear God, we come to You because we can go nowhere else for true Love and Help! Please grant us Your Peace that surpasses ALL understanding, and supply our need as You have promised (Philippians 4:7,19)! We thank You, in Jesus Name, Amen."
*Apparently she had asked the car's driver to request an escort.