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1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 – Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (KJV)
God, the recipient of our prayers, is always awake. Prayer is not restricted to specific times; it is something that can be done anywhere, anytime. Recent research has established that our mind is active even while we are sleeping, thus allowing us to be said to be praying "without ceasing".
Recently, I had a virtual visit from my church's visitation pastor. In her closing prayer with me, Barb prayed that I would be inspired to write another helpful devotional. The thought for this devotional came to me while I was sleeping, and when I awoke the next morning, several relevant thoughts came to me.
I remember asking a good friend at church how he was doing after his wife's passing. He confided that he was having trouble sleeping, but cheerfully, Reg added that his times awake gave him more time to pray for his family and others.
Then, I saw two cherished photos on my desk. One was of my wife who blessed me with 60 happy years before she went to her reward. The other picture was one that she asked me to take in 1965 when our one-year-old son was kneeling beside his crib. With an arm around him, was his 6-year-old brother and on the other side, his 3-year-old sister saying their nightly prayers.
We often connect praying with closing our eyes or even kneeling, but over the years, I have often prayed with my eyes open while driving the car. Probably in Toronto's traffic, it was a wise idea to keep my eyes open!
I have even found myself praying for the right answer when faced with a difficult question. It has been so when searching for a correct examination answer, but it has also been in trying to answer a challenging question when speaking to a large audience.
Soon after I moved into my present home, I was given the privilege of sharing with the residents my experiences distributing a Canadian-developed, computer-based reading program. At the end of the presentation, Elaine, a head-office senior executive, asked what I considered the most significant reason for success. I prayed hard for the right answer and quickly replied that I followed the advice on a wall-hanging that I inherited from my missionary grandmother. On it are just six letters: O T H E R S.
So, whether we are praying in the traditional way, or with our eyes wide open, or while speaking to someone, or while helping someone, or even while sleeping, I hope that we will all accept the command: "Pray without ceasing."
Prayer: Dear Father, thank You for always being there for us. We realize that we are weak, but we are so thankful that You are strong. May we always try to share Your love by helping others. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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About the author:
Vincent Walter <vwalter@bell.net>
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Amen Vincent.
YES, Vincent! Helps me today!
Beautiful thoughts this morning, Vince.
Prayer is for guidance, comfort, and praise – Thank you.
Thanks, Vince, for another very mindful message in your devotional today. Blessings.
Prayer is so important, especially these days. Thank you for the great reminder, Vincent. God bless!
Thank you, Vincent, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us.
Blessings.
Hope you don’t mind Vincent, I shared you with almost 100 of our Prayer Team warriors here at our church. We continue to pray without ceasing.
Thank you so much for so faithfully serving others through Jesus this way, Vincent. Don’t stop, as He leads. Heavenly flowers of love floating down on you.
Vincent,
Thank you, for your encouraging and challenging devotional May God continue to bless you and make you a blessing in your new home.
What an interesting thought, Vincent, that we can be praying while we’re sleeping because our minds are active even while we’re asleep.
That’s a great idea to chew on for a while! Thanks!
Dear Vince, I am so pleased God worked for our good, through your devotional and the prayer of your pastor. He is a faithful God, in whom we can trust. Thank you for sharing these words of encouragement to me and all subscribers, in these difficult times. May He bless you abundantly.
Hi Vince!
I would say, I am glad Barb prayed for you to write another devotional. What you said from your soul about prayer resonated with my soul who prays a lot and is increasing in prayer.
Thank you!
Dear Vince,
Thanks again for an amazing Devotional. I am so thankful for all your inspired Devotionals. They always inspired me. I look forward to all your writings.
Blessings always,
(On)
Thanks for a great message today. Hope you keep up the good work. I have prayed lots of times and got an answer from God. I was raised Baptist and in young people’s we were encouraged to take a turn in prayer. Of course, thanking God for our blessings was the first in the prayer. We are so blessed to live in Canada. Thanks again.
(Ontario)
Good morning,
What a pleasant surprise to read your devotional today. I did not have a good night and woke feeling sorry for myself, but after reading what you said, I feel much better and ready to tackle whatever comes my way.
I always am pleased to see that you are the writer for the day.
Thank you.
Hello Vince
My goodness does this one line up with what I am going through and dealing with and His goodness just ….amazing! My husband’s funeral was today but I am feeling no words to say if person listening does not know Jesus. Things you were talking about line up with my thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for this, brings some confirmations!
God bless.
I have been reading Daily Devotionals for many years now and often, when I begin reading I can tell who the writer is. I think that is because they have shared some of their daily life experiences, so I feel I know them.
They are my favourites and you fit into that category.
The people who share your home are lucky indeed to see you every day and to be able to talk with you. You are a remarkable man. Thanks for writing your Daily Devotional and sharing with a wider community. Please keep up your good work.
(ON)
Good morning Vince,
I think at times we all struggle with prayer. A devotional on prayer is helpful because it helps us to remember what is important when we pray and the importance of continuing to pray throughout the day even if our eyes are open. When you mentioned OTHERS and I looked back on your message there was a lot to do about OTHERS in it – Reg, your wife, your children, your visitation pastor, the right answer to someone’s question.
I would like to let you know that OTHERS appreciate the time and thought you put into your wonderful devotionals. May you enjoy today as the sun shines through your windows. Blessings.
Thanks, Vincent, for another inspiring devotional!
Recently I was having a conversation with someone who is ‘more used to’ written prayers compiled in a Prayer Book. I happened to mention something about loving to pray as I’m just waking up, thanking God for the sleep I had and for the day ahead, or talking to Him as I’m driving (yes, keeping our eyes open is very wise), and that for me, I feel those are just as important to me as times of more formal prayer.
My friend said she calls them ‘arrow prayers’…(like shooting messages off to God). To me, that makes Him seem far away and impersonal. I know I’m communicating with Him, my best friend who hears me whether I’m crying out to Him, giving thanks, pleading an intercessory prayer or my favourite, praising Him.
Your devotional has encouraged me that indeed, God is always awake and that prayer is not restricted to time or place.
I particularly appreciated your closing message.
Thanks again for writing!
Boy, can I ever identify with this devotional! I too pray while driving, doing chores, and while awake in the night. I call them my little visits with God. Formal prayer, with heads bowed and hands folded is fine, but I’ve found that I hear God best when my mind chatters away to him in conversation. Thank you for putting my thoughts into words.
Thank you, Vincent, for sharing thoughts on one of my favorite subjects —- Prayer.
I am at times referred as a prayer warrior, learned from my Precious Mother. I agree with you on not having always close eyes to pray, nor on our knees which I haven’t been able to do since a child.
My final prayer is when I lay my head on my pillow. I recently nearly bumped into an 80 year old lady in a store, and in conversation she told me she had lost her husband and a daughter in the last 6 months. She is a Christian, and I told her I would be praying for her, then I felt led,.. took her in my arms and prayed. I’ve had opportunities to share that to church groups, etc., in the hopes we can be ready to pray no matter when or where. I look forward to your devotions, and enjoy your new home and environment, a new journey. God bless you abundantly.
(California)