Keep Praying

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing, 

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

In all that we do we do not do unless we pray. We acknowledge that our help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth. Every breath is a testimony to our reliance on God's merciful kindness.

So in the busyness of life let us not forget to pray. Pray with thanksgiving. Pray in earnest. Pray toward expectation. Pray knowing God hears faithful prayer. Be encouraged to participate in the prayer meeting. In one of the reformed Catechisms (Heidelberg) the following Q&A is appropriate to our thinking about prayer:

116. Q. Why is prayer necessary for Christians?
A. Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness which God requires of us.1
Moreover, God will give His grace and the Holy Spirit only to those who constantly and with heartfelt longing ask Him for these gifts and thank Him for them.2
1 Ps 50:14, 15; 116:12-19; 1 Thess 5:16-18. 2 Mt 7:7, 8; Lk 11:9-13.

And so let us continue to pray for the gospel ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ to go forward. Pray for the community and nation to which we belong. Pray for our salt to be salty. Pray that God would continue to bless our efforts in speaking to those who do not know the Lord. Pray that we might have a voice for the political culture of the day. Pray with thanksgiving that we may be used by the LORD. Pray that the momentum of our voice that cries in the wilderness would be heard.

I close with a prayer attributed to  Augustine (354-430)
O Lord our God, under the shadow of Thy wings let us hope. Thou wilt support us, both when little, and even to gray hairs. When our strength is of Thee, it is strength; but when our own, it is feebleness. We return unto Thee, O Lord, that from their weariness our souls may rise towards you, leaning on the things which Thou hast created, and passing on to Thyself, who has wonderfully  made them; for with Thee is refreshment and true strength.

Wishing you all the comfort and joy of God's covenant promises
Sincerely, in God's grace--Rev. P.J. Vellenga