Stirred Up to Pray
23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.—Hebrews: 10:23-25
Paul gives us a term that really helps us describe the kind of prayer we’re going after—unceasing. Unceasing prayer brings the glory of God down. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says we are to “Pray without ceasing.” That doesn't mean you're not doing anything else. It means that just as you are always physically breathing in and out as you go about your day, you should always be spiritually in a conversation with God. Always talking: "Yes, Lord;" and "See that, Father?" and "Help me, God," and always, always in an attitude of prayer. Peter said in 2 Peter 1:13, “I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder.” The writer of Hebrews chimed in with “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24). So I know I’m in good company in seeking to stir you up towards unceasing prayer!
When it comes to prayer, God Himself is in the stirring-up business. He doesn’t do it for His own good but for our good. We need to pray unceasingly because it is immeasurably good for us! Let’s look closely at God’s move to stir up Jeremiah (and us) to prayer: “The word of the LORDcame to Jeremiah a second time while he was still shut in the court of the guard. Thus says the LORDwho made the earth, the LORDwho formed it to establish it—the LORDis His name: ‘Call to Me, and I will answer and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known’” (Jeremiah 33:1-3). We will examine this entire passage, but let me alert you to the fact that there are four distinct promises from God in His words to Jeremiah related to prayer. If you will keep reviewing those promises about prayer as you go through life, you will find yourself continuously stirred up to pray.
When you do pray, ask God to bring the people and events into your life that will stir you up to pray even more. Stirring things are around us every moment but we need the eyes and heart to see them.
—James MacDonald
Journal
- What are some events or people that should provoke or invite me to prayer every time they come to mind?
Prayer - Father, continue to stir me toward a consistent attitude of prayer so that my sensitivity to immediate and momentary times for prayer is increased. Help me not only to pray without ceasing but to jump to special invitations to pray. Thank You for drawing near to me as I draw near to You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
