Prayers Day 1: Pray Without Ceasing By: Robin Waldrip

"Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest, take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and Humble of heart and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light."
                                                                    – Matthew 11:28

This has been one of my favorite verses since I said, "yes" to Christ at 19.  (And yes, I was late to the party!)  After putting Christ on the back-burner for 19 years, I've become determined to make up for lost time!  I can't get enough of God's Word, and the incredible gift of being able to talk/pray to Him!  (I give my mom the credit for my love of prayer.  I have such vivid memories of our family prayers- at meals, Church, and most special to me; those on our knees at night praying for dad to come home safely.  Praise God for answering that specific prayer, with my dad's safe return from Vietnam, after 8 years of torture!!)

I can say Matthew 11:28 aloud and physically, spiritually, and emotionally feel myself become more peace- filled more hope-filled.  How incredible that the Creator of the Universe, the Author of the Bible sits beside us, breathing life into us as we read HIS WORD!   

I'm such a visual person; I picture myself putting on a "yoke" to Jesus. I ask Him to guide me, to go with me, to keep me "in line", to hold me close, to focus my attention on His will and His ways.  I don't want to fall behind or run out in front of God.  I want to be shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand, arm in arm.  Prayer and God's word, give me this "connection". As I pray thru the situations of the day, I truly FEEL God's guidance, His shoulders bearing my burdens, sharing life with me.  When I'm most intentional, I hear His voice more clearly...I notice His presence, I'm more sensitive to the needs of others He puts in my path.  I'll secretly pray for those I'm talking with during the day, I ask God to guide my conversation, to reveal needs, to bless others. Invariably I'll have an opportunity to pray with or for someone!  I've overcome my shyness about praying.  (Why would I hold back, be silent...When I see or hear of a need???). If someone asks me to pray, I don't just say a casual, "oh I will" and leave them wondering.  I DO!  Right then and there...stranger or best friend, it makes no difference!  I want them to know that I care enough, God cares enough, to hear their need!  What a blessing!!! There are so many times that I don't have the answers for a situation....but God does.

Once again, I visualize this "God yoke".... My arms around Jesus, His arms around me and the person(s) I'm praying with and for. What a powerful image!!  In this Chaotic world we live in, oh how we Need God and NEED His arms of love and protection over us.   HE IS ABLE!

PRAYER: Father God, Thank You for Your Word that guides and directs.  Thank You that You accompany us on our journey...that You are always available to listen, comfort and guide us.  Strengthen our prayer life, our communion with You. Help us to be more intentional and bring everything before You.  God we know there is much work to be done...help us as Believers to Follow You, to Submit to You, to Give to Your Kingdom work, and to spread the Gospel.  Help us to undergird every aspect of our lives in prayer.  In the Mighty Name of Jesus, amen. 

Thought for the Day: Try TODAY, to pray over every aspect of your life. Your "to-do list", conversations, finances and giving, those you love, the needy...Etc etc!  Allow God to impact your journey!!
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Love in Christ,
​Robin Waldrip

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