THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus

Friday, June 7, 2024

Lord, your Word commands us to do the impossible. One such example is 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the mandate to “pray without ceasing.” How do we obey this command? We cannot unless we stay close to you, Jesus. Without you and your grace, it’s impossible to obey these commands. Show us how to fulfill these scriptures.

Lord, by trusting your faithfulness, we exercise our faith and stand firm on your promises concerning how to pray without ceasing. We must have a holy confidence that the prayers we have been pleading—some for what seems like an eternity—we will see the breakthrough we’ve been anticipating.

Your grace cradles us when our spirit is broken. Your grace sustains us while we labor in prayer, crying for mercy for our loved one heading down the road of destruction. Or the rebellious child who has broken our hearts time and again. Your grace strengthens us during periods of spiritual fatigue. You understand when our heavy souls cry out, “Lord! Are these prayers in vain. You see my tears. I can’t take much more of this.”

Give us your grace, Lord. As a Christ follower, we cannot live without it. Your grace helps us pray for that friend who hurt our heart so deeply we swore never again to allow anyone to get that close again. Lord, only you can orchestrate miracles to rejuvenate marriages that have grown cold. And Lord, please give us your grace to continually pray for those who are obstinant toward us because we belong to you. Even if we cannot understand at the moment, give us grace to believe you are working all things for our good because we belong to you.

Lord, help us remain faithful in purposeful prayer. Your grace and promises are still valid today. Your Word never fails and remains the same.

Amen, Jesus.