Pray Continually

 In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Paul writes "Rejoice always, praying continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." I know that all of us have read this passage and probably even studied it. I know for myself I tend to think that I do pray alot all day (and I do) and that my prayer life is great. Amazingly enough, God still shows me that we can never pray enough. I text over 115 people daily with a scripture or an encouraging word that will help us all stay in Christ each day. In the past six (6) months it is has evolved also into a 'Prayer Chain.' Whenever people call me with a prayer concern, or text me with a prayer concern, I immediately text my daily group and they pray along with me and the persons sending the requests. We have seen miracles and answered prayer almost on a daily basis. God is faithful.
 Sunday afternoon I was teaching and encouraging the cadets to pray without ceasing. I asked them all this question "Who would like to commit to praying for me and Mrs. P all week, every hour on the hour. Their hands immediately flew up, and in the back of the room a young lady said "We will, if you will also pray for us every hour on the hour this week." Of course I accepted the challenge and almost thought that I had bit off a little more than I can chew. I do not listen to the radio, but pray when I am in my car. This serves as a good reminder for me to pray right then for all the people that I know need prayer. As monday morning dawned I got this great idea, "If I set my alarm on my cell phone to go off every hour on the hour, this will help remind me to pray for the kids!" At first it seemed a little bothersome, but I was obedient to pray everytime that alarm went off. Half way through the day I realized "Hey, why not do this until the Lord comes back or takes me home?" By the time evening came I was praying not only for the cadets I promised to pray for, but all of my family, my friends, other churches, the sick and the hurting and on and on. That night I realized that my prayer life wasn't even close to what Paul's was, and was not even close to praying without ceasing. It has been a blessed week though. God has opened up divine appointments, the Word is coming alive, and their is nothing but joy in my life. Why shouldn't we all take this reminder and apply it to our lives? What would happen if we did? Maybe we would see revival first in us, and then around us. Maybe then oppression and strongholds will be broken, and people and familes will be reconciled. The blind will see and the lame will walk.
 I pray that you will think about what you just read and consider doing the same with your committment to prayer. I cannot say that this was 'my' idea because only the Spirit of God could bring this sort of challenge to myself, the cadets and now you. What will you do from here? Are you comfortabel with your prayer life and does it line up with the scripture when we read Paul's words "Pray continually." Prayer can do more than we think. It can heal, mend, reconcile, intercede and change us, and the world in which we live. I pray you will take the challenge. Be blessed!