Have you ever read a Bible verse like this and thought “that” sounds so good… but can I do “that?”

Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Whatever happens, give thanks,
because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

Maybe that’s what comes to your mind when you read… Never stop praying?

Never stop praying sounds like work, doesn’t it?

 

What it's like to never stop praying | Sandy Lake Michigan Beach

 

Over time I’ve been learning that my relationship with God is more dependent on me than on him.

What? 

God is constant, never changing, always present.

Me… I’m up and down, coming and going, flitting all over like the monarch butterfly I’ve been watching from my balcony garden. There are days that I struggle to write or stay on task for any length of time.  That’s me… that’s my life. It’s a good thing that I know that God created me this way.  He “gets” me. And he is the constant trustworthy part of this relationship we have.

Prayer is a part of the relationship that I have with God.  It’s our conversation.

I think God wants my prayer “life” with him to be like the time I enjoy with Tim.

When Tim and I get away to spend a day together doing what we enjoy most, we have the best of times.  We talk or don’t talk, we just enjoy being together and doing things together and experiencing life together.  In fact, we aren’t even aware of the time until we’ve used it all up. And then we wish our adventure of the day wasn’t coming to an end.

That’s what it’s like to never stop praying.

 

Why does prayer seem so hard? Discover how to make prayer a natural part of your everyday life.  It's easier than you think. | Prayer time

Prayer is doing life with God.

There are times that Tim and I sit down and have purposeful conversations.  We have needs, issues, things that need to be addressed or planned.

Praying continually is talking and listening to God throughout the day.  And setting aside specific times to have purposeful conversations.

God is always with me… he’s always with you.  It’s up to us to engage with him.  To pray continually.

You might start your day with a purposeful conversation with God

and then have a brief conversation in the midst of your busy day.

There will be those moments when you realize how grateful you are to have a car with air conditioning when the thermometer is pushing 90 or 100 and you tell him so.

You’ve got a meeting and you’re concerned and so you ask for guidance and wisdom and calm.

Your daughter calls and she needs advice, so on the spot before you give your advice, you ask God to give you HIS thoughts and words.

You select some worship music for your drive and ask God to breathe joy into your spirit as you worship him.

You pass someone on the side of the road changing a tire and you pray protection for him and an easy fix.

You’re waiting your turn and the line doesn’t seem to be moving, so you open the Bible app on your device and read a few verses.

And so on your day goes.  And you wondered if you could ever “never stop praying” and still meet the needs of your family, your boss, and friends.

When we choose to walk side-by-side with God throughout the day in the same way we would a family member or a good friend, we’re praying constantly.

It’s not impossible to never stop praying.

 

What will you do this week to take the first step to having a day filled with prayer?

 

Never Stop Praying | JoyDay!

 

It’s JoyDay!

 

Let’s take a few minutes to put into practice the rest of this verse…

Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Whatever happens, give thanks,
because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 

Let’s give thanks by counting seven ‘things’ from our week.  It’s something God really wants us to do and when we do… he rewards us with joy. The very thing he wants us to have at all times.

I’ll start….

God, I’m thankful

  1. that YOU are constant and always with me, regardless of my butterfly life.
  2. for a perfect morning at the beach with Tim.  It’s such a rare treat this summer.
  3. for a supermarket that carries fresh from the field locally picked flowers.
  4. that rainy days encourage me to sit down and be quiet and write.
  5. knowing that you love us more than we can imagine.
  6. for fresh blueberries picked by my blueberry loving husband.  (Could you make them a little less tart, please?)
  7. for summer. (That is moving way too fast!)

Okay…it’s YOUR turn!!

Scroll down to the comment section…Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts….and list your ‘seven.’  I can guarantee it will change how you see the world around you.  It’s the best!!

 

More Thoughts on Prayer

Prayer that changes HeartsPrayer that Changes Hearts and the World

 

You pray but then what?What kind of mountain are you facing today?

 

Have you wondered how to pray for someone?Have you wondered how to pray for someone?

 

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.

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Comments

  1. Minnie says

    Hmmm…only 7?
    1 I am loved by the God that made everything! Wow! That’s big!
    2 My husband, who is always baffled at my plans and ideas but loves me anyway
    3 My children and their wives and the grandchildren they have given us
    4 My father
    5 Our dogs. Yep..always by my side
    6 Our home. Not paid off, not perfect but its our home
    7 Our country, and the people including ours sons that defend her

    • Minnie… I rejoice with you at all the ways God shows his love to you in this wonderful world he’s created for us. You are blessed and I LOVE your joyful heart!!

  2. Minnie says

    Minnie again,
    Sorry but I gotta do more,
    Summer days
    Winter nights
    Birds having a bath and a bite to eat in my yard
    Baby giggles, the best sound ever!
    Indoor plumbing
    Taste buds
    Memories
    Reading
    Fuzzy socks
    Blessings to you,
    Minnie

    And my favorite flower, daisies

    • Isn’t it interesting that once you start with the listing… you just don’t want to stop?!! Minnie, may I encourage you to get a notebook and journal your gratitude. It can be a simple numerical listing. I love doing it at the end of my day… usually just a list of 10. It’s a great way to end the day! And you’ll be surprised how quickly the pages fill.
      May your week overflow with JOY!!! xo

  3. Debbi Saunders says

    Thank You Dear God…..
    1. for a wonderful medical report for Jean, that her condition is not terminal but chronic and treatable….
    2. for the work that you are doing in my family through this medical crisis….
    3. for your strength and guidence to persevere in my purging process…
    4. for giving me the strength to “Let Go” of things and people….
    5. for the spiritual and personal growth that I am experiencing through this “purge”…. it is so liberating!
    6. for our ” Friendship Relationship”….
    7. for a wonderful “Fun” day out of town “junking” and lunch with a good friend…. a much needed break….

    • Diane says

      Yay God!! I love all the wonderful things God is doing in your life and how blessed you are and “feel,” too! You really have been growing in Jesus these past months. I love how he is actively molding us into his image, Debbi. ? Praying your week is filled with JOY and that it holds incredible blessings for you to discover. {hugs}

  4. Gwen says

    Seven Joys
    1. Curt went to church and stayed the entire service! This was so good. He’s been so sick lately
    2. Got to get away and see my cousin!!
    3. This morning is cooler so I can listen to the birds
    4. Both girls seem okay
    5. The Lord shall provide
    6. My heart grows heavy over several heavy things but I know who I can turn to when these things seem to be too much
    7. Lantana–the perfect flowering plant for this heat!! Oh! I saw a hummingbird this morning too!!!

    • Diane says

      I LOVE the colors of Lantana… I’m so glad you’re enjoying their beauty and hardiness, Gwen. 🙂 I’m sorry to learn that Curt has been sick lately… what a blessing it must have been for him to have been able to go to church and enjoy the service. We are having a bit of cooler weather today too… 76 and low humidity… and 58 overnight. Good summer weather. Praying you sense God’s love and his peace in extraordinary measure this week… and for continued healing for Curt too! xoxo

  5. 1) You are always with me
    .
    .7) You’ll be always with me!
    That’s my faith 🙂

    • Knowing that Stephanie and be thankful for God’s constant love and presence in your life will make every day a better day.
      Thanks for popping over and taking the time to share.
      You are blessed!

  6. David says

    God is always with us.

    Stay Blessed and Stay Joyful!

  7. Thank you for sharing this beautiful writing with us.

    1. I am very grateful for the thoughts and information that you shared.
    2. I thank God for coming across such a beautiful soul that Loves the Lord and Tim lol
    3. I’m grateful that God has been with me through all the ups and downs of my life
    4. I’m grateful that he heard my cry and my prayers
    5. I’m happy to know that I can hold my peace and allow the Lord to fight my battles.
    6. It’s so good to know that I do not have to worry about my haters or enemies, or wish evil upon them.
    7. I am super happy for my relationship with God and how he grows me up through his word.
    8. I’m happy that he called me His Child

    Amen!!!

    • Ms Yvonne, I LOVE your heart!! You truly are a blessed child of God — oh how he LOVES YOU!!
      May your summer be filled with God’s peace, beauty, and JOY!!

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