18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Always Praying
Wow, I’ll bet you can’t remember the last time I used only one verse in a devotional! I just felt that this verse was so deep that I didn’t want to go any further than it.
What does it mean to “pray in the Spirit at all times”? You might find this funny, but over the years, I have had people come to me in a panic. They share how discouraged they are because they tried to be always praying, and yet they fail. They get distracted and suddenly find themselves thinking of something else and not praying.
Most of the time they are so relieved when I explain to them that this passage isn’t telling us to be on our knees in prayer 24/7. (Yes, it amazes me that people get caught up with certain beliefs. I mean, really … if that’s what Paul meant, then he’s a hypocrite, since he wasn’t praying 24/7)
What Paul means here is to recognize that God is always with us. He’s right there beside you. And at any moment, depending on what’s going on around you, God is there for you to turn to with your prayer. You don’t have to wait until prayer time at church or until you do your devotions in the morning. At any moment, you can call out to him.
Remember, prayer is simply the act of communicating within a relationship. When Heather and I are in the car driving somewhere, there are times when we engage in deep conversation. There are also times when we are completely silent. Yet, even in our silence, we are aware of the other person’s presence. At times we might even reach over and take their hand. In a sense, we are communicating without words.
That’s how we should be with God. He is there … whether we acknowledge him or not. He’s there. And so, as we go about our day, there are time when we will engage in deep conversation with God. There are times when we will be in complete silence. And yet, even then, we should be aware of his presence. Heck, there are even times when we will feel him touch us and tell us that he loves us.
My prayer: Lord, as I go through my day, help me to never forget that you are with me. On this day, no matter where I am or what I do, you are there. I invite you to speak deep into my heart. I invite you to move silently with me. I welcome your presence. Amen.
Until tomorrow.
