PAUSE TO PRAY
*Parts of this post were reprinted in the post titled Pray Without Ceasing: Have Faith and a Thankful Heart, also shared on the blog of Amy Boucher Pye as Pray Without Ceasing, as part of her 7 Ways to Pray Series.
How often do you pray? Do you think about prayer throughout the day? Or do you forget until you actually take a break? Is it possible pause to pray at any time during the day no matter what you are doing?
In I Thessalonians 5 we read that we are to pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18(CSB)
Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Those seem like pretty hard commands if we aren’t in the habit of them. My days can get rather busy at times and I neglect my special time of reading the Bible and praying. But that doesn’t mean all is lost. I can pray as I prepare meals, clean floors or during most any other household chore.
If there is an emergency I can breathe a quick prayer for wisdom and calmness.
If I purposely set aside time each day to pause and rest, I can take time then to pray. Some days I take a longer pause to sit on the porch or walk around outside. It gives me time to forget the chores calling my name and just relax. One Sunday afternoon I spent several hours just sitting outside.
PAUSE TO PRAY WHEN YOU HAVE NO WORDS
Praying doesn’t have to be done in a specific way.
Sometimes I don’t have words, but I know the Holy Spirit will help me. The main thing is to keep the communication going between myself and God. Just knowing that He hears anytime is a comfort. It’s important to pause to pray throughout the day.
TAKE TIME TO PAUSE
Whatever we do, even if we are busy, it is important to stop periodically. We can’t keep long hours working for many days before our bodies rebel. If we take even short breaks through the day, we might actually finish our work without being exhausted.
Psalm 141:1-2 (CSB)
Lord, I call on you; hurry to help me. Listen to my voice when I call on you.
May my prayer be set before you as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering.
This is a combination of Day 16 and Day 17 of Five Minute Friday 31 Days of Free Writes, and the prompt words are pray and pause.
I’m linking up with: #TellHisStory, #Let’sHaveCoffee
To read the other posts in this series click on: 31 Days of Encouragement
Dear Gayl,
Thank you for sharing your beautiful art pages and poetry with us here. These thoughts were such a comfort to me tonight, after a hard day: “Sometimes I don’t have words, but I know the Holy Spirit will help me. The main thing is to keep the communication going between myself and God. Just knowing that He hears anytime is a comfort.” And I am so grateful to be able to pause & pray for friends, and to know that they are doing the same for me! What a blessing. Thank you so much for your prayers, Dear Friend! xoxo
Dear Bettie,
I so glad you found comfort here tonight. And I am also grateful that I have friends like you who will pray or me, too. It’s a blessing! I do appreciate your prayers, too. Blessings, love and hugs to you, dear sister! xoxo
Amen! It can be so easy to forget to pray. It takes making it a ritual, doesn’t it?
A ritual is a great idea to help set a regular habit of prayer time. Blessings! xo
Thank you for this encouragement, Gayl. I felt God call me to be still this morning. To notice His love surrounding me. To be still and know He is God. I am so glad of this truth You remind us of: “Sometimes I don’t have words, but I know the Holy Spirit will help me.” I am learning to come in those moments I just can’t unravel my deceitful heart. He is reminding me that He knows and understands what I do not. I notice I often busy myself when I carry a shame I cannot make sense of. He stills my heart to lay it at His feet and let HIM be the One to speak truth to my heart. You are good to remind us that it’s important to keep that channel of communication open. May I remember to do so.
It’s so easy to busy ourselves rather than stop and give it to God and let “HIM be the One to speak truth” to us. May God help us remember to go right to Him and not hang on to or run away from what bothers us. He is with us ALL the time so we can talk to Him anytime. Blessings, love and hugs to you, dear Anna! xoxo
Gayl, your inviting prose, beautiful collage and thoughtful poetry really speak to me. And they help remind me to pray more often than I do. Frequently, it’s sensing others’ needs, or the unrest, distress or tension in my soul that drives me to prayer. Other times it flows in small, grateful pauses throughout the day, just as you have described. The wonder of it is that prayer is as unique, individual and personal as we are and the way we relate to God. I especially love the art work you’ve been sharing each day. It looks like a calming, meditative practice by itself. Thank you for inspiring me! Blessings, love and “well done!” hugs as we’ve passed the half way mark and beyond of writing each day during October. You’ve excelled yourself, my friend. xoxo
Joy, what an encouraging comment! I really appreciate your kind words. I’m glad you were inspired. Like you, I also remember to pray when I sense others needs or they ask me to pray or when I feel unrest in my soul. Art journaling really is a calming, meditative practice. That’s why I love doing it. 🙂 Blessings and love to you and thanks so much for your praise! xoxo
I’ve gone through times of setting my phone alarm to go off to go off at intervals throughout my day. Somewhere along the line I stopped them. I think I need to set them up again! I long to connect with Him more as I move through my day…
Setting the phone alarm is a great idea, Amy. I might have to try that. It would certainly help me remember to pause throughout the day. Thanks for visiting. Blessings to you!
Gayl – such a great reminder for us to hit the pause button periodically and pray – we or rather I should say I can get so focused on work there are times I don’t take time for much of anything… but prayer is a foundation in our relationships with God. We are neighbors at several linkups this week. Blessings
Yes, prayer is a foundation – so glad you stopped by today. Blessings to you, Debbie!
Thank you for these thoughts on prayer. I know I am better when I sit with God. Many times it looks like worshipping with music and other times it is just sitting in silence. It’s always a blessing.
I agree, Mary. Sometimes I use music and sometimes just being still and quiet. Blessings to you!