Hello ,

How long can you hold your breath?  I haven't tried to do that since my heart transplant, but a few years prior to that event I held mine for two minutes one evening when my son and I were timing each other. 

The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of constant prayer in his letter to the Thessalonians: "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This doesn't mean we should spend every waking moment in prayer, but rather that prayer should be a continuous attitude and activity in our lives. It's like breathing – something we do naturally and consistently.

Consider the story of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8. Despite being repeatedly ignored by the unjust judge, she persisted in her prayer, refusing to give up. Her perseverance eventually moved the judge to grant her request, not out of compassion, but out of annoyance. Jesus uses this parable to teach us that even if God seems slow to answer our prayers,we must continue to pray with faith and persistence.

Prayer is not about manipulating God or forcing Him to do our bidding. It's about humbling ourselves before Him,acknowledging our weaknesses, and seeking His strength. It's about surrendering our will to His and trusting that He knows what's best for us.

As Christians, we are called to live a life of prayer. It's not just something we do when we're in trouble; it's a way of life that connects us to God and empowers us to live a meaningful and purposeful existence.

How's your prayer life, today?

Have a great day and God bless!

Pastor Mike / The Open Word