Day 17: Never Give Up
As you begin to spend time with God, settle yourself somewhere quiet and comfortable. Take a few deep breaths. Spend a few moments gathering your thoughts, becoming aware of God’s presence with you and in you.
Journal for 5 minutes on yesterday’s experiment of praying in the Spirit. What did you notice and learn? What challenged you? Did God say anything to you throughout the day?
Then, begin today’s devotional.
Read:1 Thessalonians 5:17
Paul’s simple admonition to “pray without ceasing” proves hard to carry out, despite my best attempts. If he’d stipulated “fret without ceasing” or “check your Twitter feed without ceasing,” I’d easily earn an A for compliance.
Instead, the aged apostle tells his friends in Thessalonica (as well as us digital-age disciples) that they should be mindful to pray always. I’m left wondering: How’s that even possible? Don’t we have to stop to sleep, to eat, or (dare I say it?) to use the bathroom? Even the super disciples would fall short of this command.
Keep in mind that even the best translations from the original Greek to modern-day English fail to capture nuances of this fascinating language. For instance, the term for the phrase “without ceasing” can mean frequently, regularly, or in a recurrent manner. Consider Paul’s advice more about praying daily without an interruption in the habit than praying nonstop. I hope that you know, of course, that I’m not implying that our prayers are magic formulas to coerce God to act on our behalf.
This past year, my aim has been to make time everyday to spend time with God—no matter how distracted I am by a demanding schedule. My simple promise has been that I will not pour my bowl of cereal or shove a piece of toast in my mouth without an open Bible in front of me. After breakfast, I take time to unburden my heart before God as one needing redemption. Then I pray for my family and the young men I’m mentoring. It’s become a pattern that I have found orients my life in the correct direction daily. Also, I find that praying in the Spirit under my breath between classes or when I feel exasperated, helps, too. Knowing Jesus is whisper close is reason enough to pray often.
It must be tough for you at times to find regular, daily time to be with God on our bustling campus—especially before a huge paper is due or during a hectic Screaming Eagles Week, when sleep is at a premium. Maybe my daily habit can become your regular practice. I learned it from generations of godly Christ-followers.
Prayer: Lord, help my prayers ascend to You regularly “like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice” (cf. Psalm 141:2, NIV). I need You, Jesus. Amen.
Today’s Experiment: What are the first words out of your mouth daily? How could even a simple “Good morning, Lord” change your perspective? For today’s experiment, take a pen and put a dot on your hand that is large enough for you to notice. Every time you see that dot, move your attention back to God. Talk with God about everything that you put your hands to do throughout the day.
Other options besides writing on your hand can be tying a piece of string around your finger, putting a piece of duct tape on your hand, or putting a rubber band or hair tie on your wrist.
By Dr. Clint Bryan, Assistant Professor of English