Quick Prayer

I remember a quick verse that I learned as a young man. It is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and it is only three words: “Pray without ceasing”.  In the New Living Translation, it reads: “Never stop praying”. I used to wonder what that meant until I started praying all the time. I don’t mumble my quick prayers; the Lord hears them uttered from my heart. Occasionally, I will speak one of my private/quick prayers.

As I was reading that the people of Israel were finally leaving from Mount Sinai, all the travel plans were in place. The cloud would be the signal to move out. Moses had given the sons of Aaron the responsibility of sounding the trumpets in such a way that the people knew it was time to pack up and move.  I love the quick prayer that Moses would shout out when they were moving out and then when they were settling back in. Check this out….

³³ They marched for three days after leaving the mountain of the Lord, with the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant moving ahead of them to show them where to stop and rest. ³⁴ As they moved on each day, the cloud of the Lord hovered over them.³⁵ And whenever the Ark set out, Moses would shout, “Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered! Let them flee before you!” ³⁶ And when the Ark was set down, he would say, “Return, O Lord, to the countless thousands of Israel!” (Numbers 10:33-36 NLT)

I can pray when I’m driving. I can pray when I’m heading into a tough meeting, or an easy meeting. I can pray before I eat and as I’m eating. I think it’s spiritually healthy to pray about everything and worry about nothing. This is definitely easier said than done.

I think there is also something to having a set time of prayer. I don’t want all my communication with my family and friends to be quick and somewhat scattered. I want to slow down and enjoy deep conversations with them. I should want deep conversations with the Lord.

Conversations with the Lord can settle my soul.

Conversations with the Lord can give me direction and set me on a path that honors Him.

Conversations with the Lord can prepare me to resist temptation.

Conversations with the Lord can reveal my deepest secrets and my sin.

I will continue my quick prayers, but I will also make time for deeper conversations with the Lord. I think these both give stability to my relationship with Him.

Pressing On!

Dwayne