Ceaseless Communication

In I Thessalonians 5:17 we are told to Pray without ceasing. We are to be in communication with the Lord at all times, without stopping, no interruptions.

How many of us truly keep up with this command?

Anybody?

No one?

We basically don't even attempt ceaseless prayer because we don't see how we can do any one thing ceaselessly but breathe - and we do that automatically.

However, the premise of this verse is played out in our lives more than we think. We just don't apply it to prayer.

Many of us give ceaseless attention to our phones. I know my phone is the first thing I check when I wake up, and the last thing I look at before I go to sleep. It never leaves my side during the day, and I am always checking it for updates. Let's not even talk about what happens if I forget it somewhere. It's ceaselessly a part of my day.

Others of us give our ceaseless attention to that special man or woman in our lives. We think about them constantly: wondering how they're doing, anticipating the next time we'll see them, thinking of ways to make them feel special. They are constantly on our minds.

Then there are those of us who ceaselessly give our focus to our jobs. We wake up with the job on the brain, spend all of our time at the job, and constantly think about our work. Ceaseless!

There are many other items that can be placed in that slot. Yet what should be taking precedence is our relationship with the Father.

He is who should be the first person we think about in the morning. It should be Him we are looking to for guidance as we go about our day. When issues arise, it is He who we should talk to. As we go through our day, we should be looking for ways to show Him love in how we live.

Jesus modeled this principle perfectly. He was a man who lived a life of prayer. He did nothing unless He got the okay or example from the Father. As a result, He lived a life of focused purpose. Never once do you see Jesus worried, afraid, lost, or depressed. He stayed on target and was able to fulfill His life's mission without extra time or detours.

Who knows how much our lives could improve if we just took on an attitude of constant communication with God?

Today, make the effort to put this verse into practice. Before you check in on the apps on your phone, text a friend, call that special someone, take on another project at work, or do whatever it is that snatches most of your time during the day, have a conversation with your Heavenly Father. Ask Him what's on His heart for you today. Listen for His words of love and give Him some in return.

He wouldn't ask us to consistently stay connected if it wasn't for our good. Let's put that word to work!

Verse of the Day: Pray without ceasing. I Thessalonians 5:17