{"id":4760,"date":"2018-01-22T12:00:47","date_gmt":"2018-01-22T19:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/?p=4760"},"modified":"2020-11-19T11:42:43","modified_gmt":"2020-11-19T18:42:43","slug":"bringing-god-every-situation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.navigators.org\/blog\/bringing-god-every-situation\/","title":{"rendered":"Bringing God into Every Situation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Prayer is to spiritual life in God as blood flow is to physical life. When we turn prayer into just<\/em> a task, a meeting, or a ritual, we lose the full benefit, and also lose perspective on the implications of a prayer-less life.<\/p>\n

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Jesus taught His disciples that prayer was an essential requisite of the Kingdom life:<\/p>\n

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. <\/em>(Luke 18:1<\/a>)<\/p>\n

And Paul encouraged the young church at Thessalonica, writing:<\/p>\n

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God\u2019s will for you in Christ Jesus. <\/em>(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18<\/a>)<\/p>\n

New birth provides us with the opportunity of a close connection with the God of the universe. Yet, many of us connect with God only on Sunday mornings, or when things are really<\/em> bad\u2014or really<\/em> good. Prayer is the life-blood of our relationship with God. Amazing, isn\u2019t it, that God chose to invite human beings, His creation, into a vital connection\u201424 hours a day, 7 days a week.<\/p>\n

And the results of a prayer-less life are sure. A survey of the life of David shows us that when David prayed and sought God\u2019s presence and guidance things went one way (see 1 Samuel 23:1<\/a>, 30:6-8<\/a>). But when he operated out of fear, and deceit, and didn\u2019t seek God, things went horribly and impacted the lives of others (see 1 Samuel 21<\/a> and 27<\/a>).<\/p>\n

While I am so grateful for the special rhythms of prayer I\u2019ve established each day early in the mornings, or before I fall asleep, I\u2019m even more grateful for the opportunity I have to pause throughout <\/em>the day, to check in and share my heart with the Lord Jesus, who says He\u2019ll be with us always (Matthew 28:20<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Having access to God, and being men and women who pray continually, means that we too can have strength of soul because of our intimate and regular fellowship with God. Our lives can be characterized by constant communication with the God of heaven and earth. And we can be like David in the Psalms, a man who celebrated the blessings of God, but also was quick to bring his concerns, gripes, and burdens to God\u2014His stronghold and deliverer.<\/p>\n

In His Grip,<\/p>\n

Doug Nuenke<\/strong>
\nU.S. President, The Navigators<\/p>\n

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