Our Family Time with God

Oct. 11, 2009

PRAY

WITHOUT CEASING

Scripture Reading--1 Thessalonians 5:17

Years ago, I flew home after preaching in a distant city. Normally, my wife and children would be waiting for me at the airport, but they weren't there. As I made my way to baggage claim, I reasoned they would be waiting for me there. But still my family was absent. I wondered if traffic had held them up. After waiting and watching, I decided to call and to see if I could reach them, but the phone wasn't working.

All kinds of wild thoughts ran through my mind. I imagined my family had an accident or that something terrible had happened. Lack of communication is the birth of distortion. Finally, I contacted them and discovered that 11 inches of rain had fallen that day; they couldn't get to the airport because of flooded roads. My heart was relieved to learn they were safe. When we're out of touch, everything gets distorted.

As soldiers in an army must stay in touch with their superiors, we must stay in touch with God. Military people must keep connected with headquarters, and we must stay on speaking terms with Jesus! We must keep on praying. We must speak with God regularly.

The psalmist said, "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments" ( Ps. 119:164 ). this man set aside times throughout the day to express praise to the Lord. Nothing is more important than staying in tune with God.

POINTS TO PONDER: Have you prayed "without ceasing" today? Are you "in touch" with your Heavenly Father? Like the psalmist, will you purpose to set aside times throughout the day to talk to God? Discuss today's Scripture reading and ask each family member to pray about his prayer life.

--Harold Vaughan--