Pray Without Ceasing

I Thessalonians 5:17, Pray without ceasing. (ESV) One translation says, Keep on praying. (NLT)  One of the shortest, simplistic and yet powerful verses in the Bible.  There is so much in our world that needs the petitions of God's people.

Let's begin with Nepal.  So far 2,430 people are confirmed dead after the catastrophic earthquake over the weekend.  I know of at least one facility of the Churches of Christ that has been completely destroyed.  Many homes, businesses and churches are in ruble this morning.  Countless funerals will be conducted over the next few weeks filled with grieving families and friends.  The survivors are left to pick up the pieces, both literally and figuratively.  Let us keep on praying for the people in this country.  Here are a few pictures to demonstrate why we need to keep these people in our prayers.

On this day, in 1865, the worst maritime disaster occurred in the history of our nation on the flooded waters of the Mississippi River.  Unfortunately greed was the major cause.  The U.S. government was offering money for the safe passage of Union soldiers recently liberated from Confederate POW camps.  You could get $5 for enlisted men and $10 for officers.  One steamboat captain, of the Sultana, piled 2,350 people (2,150 were POWs) onto his boat that had a safety rating of 400.  People were crammed onto the vessel, to say the least.  During the trip one of the boilers, that had not been properly repaired, blew up just a few miles north of Memphis, Tennessee.  1,800 of the 2,350 people on board died.  Among those were many from our Restoration Heritage.  They were also instrumental in saving countless lives.  Many rescues were contributed to a well-known Restoration Heritage family, the Bartons, who are also married into another restoration family, the Edmunds.  Another survivor was John C. Maddox, of the U.S. 54th Indiana Infantry, who years later, founded a Church of Christ in Paynesville, Indiana.  As well as being a history lesson about our heritage, this also serves as an example of another tragedy that has plagued our world.  It demonstrates the need to pray without ceasing.  Here is a picture of the boat as it was leaving.

Yesterday we concluded our series on The Untold Story.  So many of you expressed how much you needed these parables of Jesus.  They are convicting.  Many times the Spirit of God has humbled myself through these studies.  The more I try to live like Jesus the more I realize the need to pray without ceasing.  My Lord has brought me a long way in my life and He still has a long way to go.  Take time out to read and meditate on the parables of Jesus.  Pray to the Father about those things you struggle with and submit your spirit to His will.

As far as yesterday was concerned, it was encouraging to have one of our teenagers, Troy Wiley, read the Scripture before the sermon.  I appreciate the young man he has become and continues to grow in his Christian life.  He has emerged as a leader.  Keep on praying for our teenagers.  They live in a world filled with weeds, more than I remember at their age.  Pray for Joel and Ann, and certainly us parents, as we try to guide our youth in a right path with God.

This Sunday the sermon will be looking into Biblical baptism.  What does that mean to me?  What is it all about?  If you know of others who would benefit from this study, please the time to invite them.  Baptism is one of the most beautiful topics in Scriptures.  I can only ask that we pray without ceasing this week for those who may be wrestling with this decision.  The Spirit of God can touch the heart.

This Sunday night will be a "Circle-Up Singing".  We haven't had one in a while, so I'm hoping everyone will make an effort to come out and join us.  We will have a theme, mixed with Scriptures and prayer.  We might try one or two newer songs, but the purpose is to build up.  We will meet in the Hebrews Coffee Shop at 5:30 p.m.

I want to end with a poem I have had framed in my office for about 20 years.  It is called "A New Day"

"This is the beginning of a new day.
I have been given this day to use as I will.

I can waste it, or use it.
I can make it a day long to be remembered for its joy,
it's beauty and its achievements,
or it can be filled with pettiness.

What I do today is important because I am
exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes this day will be gone forever,
but I shall hold something which I have traded for it.

It may be no more than a memory,
but if it is a worthy one I shall not regret the price.
I want it to be gain not loss, good not evil,
success not failure."  - unknown author

Begin your new day with prayer and go live for Jesus.

Tracy