Rejoice always, pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NKJV)
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| Photo & Design: Wendy van Eyck |
It isn’t supposed to happen like this.
One phone call turned my world upside down.
It was breast cancer, a fast growing, aggressive cancer that would require radical treatment.
And she lived nearly 2000 miles away.
Within two weeks we moved across the country so that I could advocate for her and be her full time caregiver.
As unprepared as we were in this situation, He gave us His Grace in the midst of our storm.
Navigating the medical system and making life altering decisions when we were still in shock and denial felt a lot like walking on a stormy sea.
Of course, my stormy sea felt like I was walking in a tsunami with 50 ft tidal waves, and I had to dodge ship wreckage debris and fight off angry, dive bombing seagulls.
And my glasses kept fogging up so I couldn’t always see Jesus clearly.
And that was on a good day. Before my first cup of coffee.
What does unceasing prayer look like in circumstances like these?
It could be that you say, Oh God, Oh God, Oh God a thousand times.
Or fall to your knees and repeat your petitions to Him,
or sit in silence and tune out the world while you wait for His response,
or maybe just cry out to Him with unintelligible words and groaning in your spirit.
It’s not a script or formula that you follow.
It’s a state of being you engage in.
This world is a very hard place to navigate at times.
And while we live here, in this temporary home, we experience hardships, loss and difficulties, as well as joy and laughter and blessings.
It’s just the way it is.
No matter our circumstances, whether joyful or sorrow-filled, we are given the command to: Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing, In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I have been a student of the Bible for over 40 years, but I don’t think I really understood this passage before.
Pray without ceasing.
It’s not because God cannot remember you, or you have to earn His answers. He wants intimacy with us.
During those long hours, days, weeks, months; when my child’s life was threatened by the dark arm of evil cancer, I did not need to remind God of anything.
Prayer was my lifeline to God’s Throne, my link to His heart.
And the more I prayed the more I was in His presence, and I was changed forever.
Unceasing prayer will change YOU. (<-- Click here to tweet this)
I met God face to face. As dark as those days were, His Presence was strong, bright and precious.
Whatever your situation, God loves you and wants to have intimacy with you.
God will draw you to Himself in every situation, if you will allow it.
What do you think unceasing prayer looks and sounds like? Will you allow God to draw you to Himself in every situation? Prayer: God, I don't have words to pray in these circumstances but you know that I need you and I want you to be part of this. Lord, come, bring your peace, your hope and your love into this situation. Show me how to pray unceasingly, show me how to make prayer the heartbeat of my relationship with you.
[About The Author Of This Guest Devotional]
My daughter’s cancer required many months of surgeries and treatments. It challenged us in ways that I could not even begin to explain. She survived it, and is now cancer free, and living her life out loud. I live in Texas with my adoring husband, Jeff, and have been a Writer/Conference Speaker/Ministry leader for 30 years. I am passionate about sharing my stories at BFace2Face.wordpress.com
I can totally relate to this going through cancer myself as well as walking many others through their bout with cancer and other serious illnesses. The prayer vigil and communication with our Father continues as the 'phone line' is never disconnected; worshipping and honoring Him as God and the ultimate final say and resting in the fact that He knows best. Love you Brenda! =)
ReplyDeletei love the question, what does unceasing prayer look and sound like? the question leads me quickly to consider how i will answer. i appreciated brenda's ability to use few words and convey so much experience. what does unceasing prayer look and sound like in my life? names echoing in my mind, yearning in my heart, fumbling with my words, me with my head in my hands and silence, my hands holding and held by others on each side and theirs held and holding... a phone call made, a visit, a note, connections me with god, god with us, tears, breathing in and out his name, holding on when everything, all the evidence says give up. the hope beyond hope. where there are no words or images but he is there in the most empty, barren, still place. he sees me. he knows me. he hears me. always and always i am reaching out for him, the more of everything i care about, even when my grief and exhaustion have taken me to a place that says i don't care; i can't care anymore. even if i make my bed in hell, he is there. he is always my first thank you, my first please, my first and my last. he holds me together. my untidy life, my broken parts, the highs and lows and all the in-betweens---how can i keep from praying? sometimes i just want to so somewhere quiet and private and kneel down or stretch out on the ground and just listen and not talk. a retreat. i don't want to miss his end of the conversation because i'm talking too much or i'm listening too hard to anyone or anything else. but, i'm here in a noisy place and it's ok because he meets me here and now. i love him.
ReplyDeleteThis. Is. Beautiful.
DeleteThanks for sharing.
Amazing!!
Deleteyour words were so awesome to read. many times i have wondered as i did those very same things, if God would regard them as time seeking Him or just wasted moments. Thank you !
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