Pray Continually
Introduction
In this short story I am sharing with you one of my life's experiences and the wisdom the Lord Jesus has given me through it. My hope and prayer is you will be both blessed and encouraged by this little booklet.
I pray you will come to understand, as I did, that praying without ceasing is really quite simple. Just stay connected with the Lord and ask Him for wisdom and guidance in all things. Above all, listen and obey Him.
May we all grow in our walk with the Lord. May we learn how to enjoy His amazing grace and mercy in our time of need, without forgetting his warnings, directions, commandments, correction, and discipline.
1
Doing Church
On Sunday August 7th 2005, we decided to fly to Lemberg for the fly-in breakfast. I knew we would miss the Sunday service at our home church, so I made the decision to spend time with the Lord. During our flight I had a wonderful time praising the Lord and reading His Word.
When we arrived at Lemberg airport no one was there. We had made a mistake and had the wrong date for the fly-in. We didn’t even land, but just made a U turn and came back home.
As we landed the plane and got out I looked at my watch. We were too late to make the Sunday morning church service.
I thought, “I’m sorry Lord, I missed church”.
Instantly in my spirit I heard the Lord reply, “No you didn’t, we had church”.
I thought “Wow! Thank you Lord, You are so right. You met with me where I was, right there in the plane”.
Then the Lord gave me a scripture:
pray continually;
1st Thessalonians 5:17 N. I. V.
I asked the Lord what He meant. “Lord, how do I pray continually”? Then the Lord gave me a picture.
2
Old Dial Phone
How You Pray
In my spirit I believe the Lord was saying to me:
“This is how you pray. Like an old dial phone, you pick up the receiver and open the prayer with ‘Heavenly Father’ or ‘God’.
After a few thanksgivings, you make your requests for the day. You pray, ‘Father, please enable me to walk in Your Spirit today. Enable me to do your will’. Then you end the prayer with a closing ‘in Jesus’ name’. You hang up the old dial phone receiver and go about your day.
As you walk through the day, you meet all the trials and temptations that come your way to the best of your ability.
You close the day with an evening prayer similar to your morning prayer, including repentance for getting angry and frustrated at others and circumstances. You repeat your request for Me to enable you to walk in the Spirit according to My will, and then you close your prayer”.
3
Cell Phone
How To Pray
Then, in my spirit, I believe the Lord was saying to me:
“This is how I would like you to pray. Pick up your cell phone and pray your morning prayer. Stay connected. Then, as trials and temptations come against you, just ask Me, ‘Father, how should I handle this situation?’, or ‘Father, how should I respond to that comment?’, or ‘Father, how should I answer that question’?
In everything, ask Me how you should respond throughout your day, Then, at the end of the day, instead of repenting for the sins you have committed, you will be able to praise Me for guiding your steps and decisions throughout the day”.
4
An Example
Again in my spirit, I believe the Lord was saying to me:
“You ask a man how he is doing today and he responds rudely towards you. You can handle this on your own by becoming offended or by making some snappy comment in return, or, you can ask Me ‘Father, how should I respond to that’”?
If I were to tell you to ask the man, ‘Are you OK’? He might respond with ‘No. My wife is in the hospital and has just been diagnosed with cancer’. Then you might be able to respond with compassion by ministering to the man and praying for him and his wife”.
