Topic: Pray Always [TREM Devotional 7 May 2019]
“Pray without ceasing”. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)
As a leader, prayer is not an option. Prayer is not something you engage in when you are distressed or challenged. Prayer must be a lifestyle.
I have heard people say that they don’t know how to pray. Prayer has to be a lifestyle. So, my question is: How did you learn to walk? Did you sit down, watch training videos on how to walk, attend courses on walking and get a coach on walking? I guess you are laughing now and wondering how could I watch a training video on how to walk. The truth is you practically tried to walk and fell down several times, but you kept at it until you could stand, then walk.
For parents, you can recall the joy in your heart when your baby took the first steps. Some people even use their phones to record those ‘baby steps’ and everyone clapped and rejoiced because those steps brought so much joy. Yes, the child fell immediately after the first step, but that did not stop the child; he crawled again and stood up to take the second step. Beloved, all truth is parallel. The way to learn to pray is by simply by praying. The first attempt at praying might be 5 minutes but keep at it. Suddenly, you will discover that you can pray for 60 minutes at a stretch and enjoy it.
Yes, there are books on prayer and seminars on prayer. While I do not knock those things off, the way to learn to pray is still by praying. What exactly is prayer?
Prayer is nothing else but speaking with God. It is a two-way communication: you speak to Him and He speaks to you; the two make up a prayer – speaking and listening. Never engage in speaking without listening, because the God you serve is a speaking God. I can imagine someone wondering – how can I pray always? ‘Are you saying that I do nothing else but pray?’ Of course not! Prayer is not only when you kneel down to pray. You can be driving and praying, you can be working and at the same time praying. I challenge you to make prayer a lifestyle.
Further Reading: 1 Thessalonian 5:16-19
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 2 Kings 1-3; Evening- Luke 24:1-35
Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.
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