From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

"Prayer"; when someone says that word, what comes to your mind? Be honest now, a head bowed in silence, a special chair, a church chapel, someone kneeling, a list of prayer requests dutifully checked off. Hm-m, if that's true then, how can we possibly live our lives, plus, as God says, "pray without ceasing"?

If we look at the Greek meaning of the word pray(er), we see it is varied. Its scope encompasses the understanding of asking, coping, requesting, expressing a sense of need, petition to a superior, a call to one's aid, entreat or beseech (meaning a call to one side), comfort, desire, longing for, or worship. Wow, if that's what prayer is, I can do that all day; we all can, because those things can be done while we are involved in the common tasks of the day.

So whether speaking to one or one thousand; painting a house or a picture; writing a book or a blog; climbing a ladder or a mountain...do it all with vibrant joy. But do it, firmly aware of and acknowledging His presence. Do it talking to Him every step of the way, thanking Him for all His goodness, praising Him in all His glory. And as specific prayer requests come to mind, just pray it out as you complete the tasks at hand. Don't reduce prayer to some compartmentalized sliver of your life where you sit in your "prayer chair" and robotically call to mind the prayer requests on your list. Be free and aware of Jesus’ presence everywhere you go. Broaden your "prayer time" to every waking moment, not just your time in daily devotions or a church service.

Some people are called to pray for hours at a time and they must follow that call. Don't try and emulate that and think you are "doing your duty". If God has not called you to that task, then all you will do is be derelict in the other things God has called you to do. And you can be sure your daily work load will be so crammed, you'll be living in a pressure cooker.

God does not want prayer to be work; He wants prayer to be worship. Conversation with God all day is prayer. Remember, the end result of prayer is not just the answer; the end result of prayer is an ever-increasing love of and awareness of God. Endure the fire...it's producing pure gold!

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