We are ringing in not only a new year but also a new decade.
With all that is before us—both opportunities and obstacles—let us not stop praying and seeking the Lord in all things. When Paul encouraged the church to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), he was not only referring to the quantity of prayer but the quality of prayer. Christian, pray in such a manner as to never stop. Pray with such consistency and regularity that conversation with God is a constant part of your life. Pray, and don’t stop praying.
Why is this ceaseless prayer so vital for the Christian? It is vital because we so desperately need Jesus. We need Jesus because our hearts ache from loss and tragedy. Our lives are anxious because certain things have never been more uncertain. Our fears and concerns are ever-present because sin so easily entangles, and sickness so quickly stings. We need Jesus, and our ceaseless prayers demonstrate this.
Moreover, ceaseless prayer is vital because apart from Christ, we can do nothing of any eternal value or kingdom effect. The days are far too short for temporal binges or meaningless squabbles. As the branch cannot survive on its own, so we cannot survive apart from the vine. Ceaseless prayer is vital for fruitful living. A branch that doesn’t remain constant in the vine only becomes a twig. Each of us must keep abiding in Jesus the Vine, and ceaseless prayer demonstrates this.
And so, let’s continue to pray. Alone and together, let’s keep on seeking Jesus, asking Jesus, crying out to Jesus, making our request known to Jesus. Ceaseless prayer is needing Jesus together. To this end, the elders have set Sunday, January 12th as a Day of Prayer and Fasting for GCC. Would you reserve that day from 5-6 PM to gather for prayer together as a church? We look forward to praying together as a body, needing Jesus together.
All Glory Be to Christ,
~Pastor John H
With all that is before us—both opportunities and obstacles—let us not stop praying and seeking the Lord in all things. When Paul encouraged the church to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), he was not only referring to the quantity of prayer but the quality of prayer. Christian, pray in such a manner as to never stop. Pray with such consistency and regularity that conversation with God is a constant part of your life. Pray, and don’t stop praying.
Why is this ceaseless prayer so vital for the Christian? It is vital because we so desperately need Jesus. We need Jesus because our hearts ache from loss and tragedy. Our lives are anxious because certain things have never been more uncertain. Our fears and concerns are ever-present because sin so easily entangles, and sickness so quickly stings. We need Jesus, and our ceaseless prayers demonstrate this.
Moreover, ceaseless prayer is vital because apart from Christ, we can do nothing of any eternal value or kingdom effect. The days are far too short for temporal binges or meaningless squabbles. As the branch cannot survive on its own, so we cannot survive apart from the vine. Ceaseless prayer is vital for fruitful living. A branch that doesn’t remain constant in the vine only becomes a twig. Each of us must keep abiding in Jesus the Vine, and ceaseless prayer demonstrates this.
And so, let’s continue to pray. Alone and together, let’s keep on seeking Jesus, asking Jesus, crying out to Jesus, making our request known to Jesus. Ceaseless prayer is needing Jesus together. To this end, the elders have set Sunday, January 12th as a Day of Prayer and Fasting for GCC. Would you reserve that day from 5-6 PM to gather for prayer together as a church? We look forward to praying together as a body, needing Jesus together.
All Glory Be to Christ,
~Pastor John H
