This morning my heart is heavy. When I woke there was a news story of a rocket attack on Israel. By the story’s account it was an unprovoked attack. Immediately I began to do what God’s word has commanded us to do.
“Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. 7 O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces.” Psalm 122:6-7 NLT
I hope all of you will stop now and pray for the leaders and the people of Israel. Pray for wisdom for their leaders and for the safety and protection of their citizens. Thank you.
One of the things I enjoyed most about our experience in Greece was the churches. We toured several of them – the grand, exquisite cathedrals and the small chapels. The doors were open and welcoming to anyone who wanted to stop and pray.
“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. 2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening,” Psalm 92:1-2 NLT
I kind of expected to see people stopping to pray in the larger cathedrals but what surprised me was that they also stopped at the little prayer rooms in the shopping district and at the Mariner’s Chapel at the harbor.
We saw chapels high on the hills, with no houses around. There was a chapel on an island that only had two other buildings, it had been built by the fisherman who lived there to honor God and be a place of prayer. There were chapels as we traveled along the roadway from one town to another, sometimes they were less than a quarter mile apart. Always a place to pray. To me, it was a living example of the command we have been given:
“Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
I think that we often get too busy to remember to pray. Oh, if it’s a time of crisis we stop to pray. But during the ordinary routine of life our focus on prayer can wane. I definitely pray when we are on the freeway and over meals. I pray in the morning for friends and family, for society and for our leaders.
But I want to be more mindful to pray. Thankful for the warmth of the sunshine and the cool breeze. Praying when I see someone less fortunate than I, asking the Lord to provide for their needs and to use me if that’s what He desires. Seeing someone with a sad and downcast countenance and praying for them to have a renewed joy.
Praying always.
As you’re reading this maybe the face of a friend has come to mind, maybe a situation at work or a family issue – now is a good time to stop and pray.
Jesus often spent the day healing and preaching, ministering to people who needed a touch from the Father and then He would spend His evenings in prayer.
“ After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray.” Mark 6:46 NLT
My desire is to cultivate a more consistent and deeper prayer life. I hope that’s your desire as well. Let’s purpose to never stop praying!