Pioneer Christian Monthly - September, 1979

The Wonderful World of Prayer
Verle Westra

"Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit." (I Thess. 5:16-19)

Think about the above scripture - - hmmm ... sounds like a pretty tall order doesn't it? Paul didn't think so. He knew that this was the way to live the abundant life. Paul cared for these people and wanted the best for each of them. It was for this reason that God had sent Paul to Macedonia.

God wants us to live the abundant life too. But, like the citizens of Macedonia, we must follow God's orders: "Do good, rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all things, and do not quench the Spirit." Right now, wherever you are or whatever you are doing, give God the chance to change your life into something extra-ordinary. Pray! Give your particular situation to Christ ... now. Let Him take over and let Him lead you through it. Believe me, it's the only way to go! It doesn't matter if it is a big or small, to you it is important and because it is important to you, it is important to God. Just ask Him. Not only will He solve your problems and take care of it but He will fill you with an unexpressable joy and peace. You will become alive!

Being alive reminds me of my poor plants. Have you ever seen a house plant that hasn't been watered? It is droopy and dull instead of reaching up tall to the sun (Son). Well, I have many, many times. That's when I grab my watering cup and soak that droopy plant good. Within a short time that plant looks like new. One day as I went to water a plant which desperately needed it, I felt as though that plant was me! Do I let myself get droopy and dull? "Oh no, Lord, not me", I thought to myself. Maybe your thoughts are similar to mine. But God kept prodding me that day and asking questions like, "What about that time when.... and what about the situation the other day?" "You're right Lord," I had to admit. "I do let myself thirst and long for a drink of the living water." What a revelation that was to me that day. Praise God for sending situations into my life that will bring me closer to Him.

Do not be afraid to pray for anything and everything. God does not dismiss a prayer because it is too small and insignificant. If He did, I'm afraid He would have dismissed me long ago. He loves us dearly and cares for us. He asks us to become like little children and turn to Him for all things. We can turn to God because our family wants a pet, or dad needs the tractor repaired; we can turn to Him because our business partner is causing a lot of trouble; we can turn to Him because our husband doesn't come home for supper when it is ready, or we can turn to Him when our wife doesn't have supper ready when we come home; we can turn to Him because we have exams to study for; we can turn to Him in sickness; and we can turn to Him because things in our church or group just aren't working right.

In ALL THINGS WE CAN TURN TO GOD in prayer. Listen! Be Patient! Remember, God doesn't always answer our prayers immediately but He always answers our prayers. The theme song for the RCW this year starts out:

"If you have the faith, God gives the power Not be re you need it but at the very hour."

I have thought about these words so very many times when I am waiting upon the Lord for an answer. Often I want the answer now, but God knows the right time. So lay your problems before Him and leave it there. Wait for the answer, with the confidence that God will answer. This is why a child of the King can "always do good, rejoice always, pray constantly and give thanks in all things." Let us therefore not quench the Spirit.

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