Can We Talk?

It's been more than a week since the National Day of Prayer -- and since we talked with a man who joked about praying for success as he plays poker.

We don't know if that's the only time he prays.  But if that's the only time you do, we think you're missing out on something.

Rejoice evermore.  Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. - I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (KJV)

The first and third instructions in those verses sound simple -- but in reality, they can be hard.  How can you rejoice when your all-in bet with an Ace-high flush becomes a bad beat?  How can you possibly give thanks to God for that?

The answer may lie in the middle instruction -- the one which seems ridiculously tough.  How do you "pray without ceasing"?  Does that mean we're supposed to say "Allah u-Akbar," as Muslim terrorists quietly do from a distance as they wait for a car bomb to explode?  Do you murmur "Praise the Lord" non-stop during a sermon?  Not according to Jesus....

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  Do not be like them.... - Matthew 6:7-8

The Moffatt translation of the Bible puts Paul's advice this way: "Never give up prayer."  In other words, keep on praying to God even when all hope seems lost.  Consider what can happen if you do give up:

Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.  If we disown him, he will also disown us.... - I Timothy 2:11-12

Keep the line of contact open -- not only by praying, but by reading God's Word to learn what He's trying to say to you.  The Bible is filled with words which can help you have a reason to rejoice and give thanks.  But be warned: they could scold and correct you as well -- a bit like a bad beat can.