Today’s Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5
Pray continually. – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Years ago the only means of going to the bottom of the ocean was in a diving suit. It was made of thick canvas and was complete with weighted shoes, a heavy metal headpiece with a window to look out, a long rope to jerk if something went wrong, and most important of all, an air hose that supplied oxygen.
Everything about the environment into which the diver went was hostile–there were a thousand things that could go wrong and cost the diver his life. For that reason, the crews constantly monitored the air hose to make sure everything was okay.
Friend, that’s an exact picture of your situation every day. The environment in which you and I live is hostile to our Christian growth and development. The world is always trying to squeeze us into its mold, the Devil is trying to lure us off track, and the inner corruptions of our own fleshly desires are constantly trying to sap our spiritual strength.
How do you get through this hostile environment? You keep the connection with your life-support system above. I guess you could say, “You keep your air hose connected with heaven”–a strong avenue of prayer by which you keep in constant touch and receive strength and wisdom from God.
The apostle Paul understood this key to an effective Christian life. When he wrote his first letter to the Thessalonians, he ended with an exhortation to pray without ceasing. Why? Because he knew prayer would help these people maintain a daily fellowship with God, and thus, a powerful Christian witness in a hostile world.
Prayer
Lord, teach me the discipline of praying continually. Amen.
To Ponder
The Christian who fails to keep his prayer connection intact runs the danger of spiritual disaster.
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