“Do you ever grow fretful and anxious as you think about the future? Invite Jesus to take over your situation. Avoid telling him:
*adapted from Tessa Afshar, The Way Home, p.92.
If you want to grow in prayer, take 1 Thessalonians 5:17 literally and seriously.
Pray without ceasing.
The best way to grow in prayer is to understand what it is. It’s talking with someone who knows you very well.
Every one of us can pray this: O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head (Psalm 139:1-5).
A: To pray.
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked way, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
On August 2, 2020, God put this rainbow in the sky over Chicago’s Lake Michigan.
Also on the weekend of August 2, 2020, 34 Chicagoans were shot, 9 fatally, one of whom was a 9 year old boy.*
God notices the violence in Chicago, just He noticed it in the days of Noah.
But God has said, “When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember my covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters destroy all life (from Genesis 9:15-16).”
Remembering God’s promise, we pray.
This is what the Lord says: I would no more reject my people than I would change my laws that govern night and day, earth and sky (Jeremiah 33:25).
The sun, the sky, the sea, the earth are visible reminders of God’s constant love.
Remember that when you pray.
The sun’s bright pathway of light reminded me that God’s Word is a light for my path. The guidance it gives is simple and clear.
Never stop praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
No matter what.
Everything is different. Everything is still the same.
Dandelions grow. Hubcaps fall off cars. People litter.
We still need the Lord. That is why we pray.
Whiter than snow.
Make this prayer yours. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7).
A sunflower growing on a busy street.
A sunflower turns to face the sun; we turn to face God’s Son, Jesus. He is light and he is love.
