All the Time - Part 2

What happens to us in the next moment is not really in our hands – it is only a delusion we carry in our minds. Without God sustaining us, we cannot see the next minute. God’s grace and mercy are needed not only for eternity but also for the next moment. That is why we must pray without ceasing.

The second question: ‘How can we do this?’ We pray not just because we are dependent on God, but also because we love God. Prayer is essentially a relationship. We relate to God through prayer. We engage in an ongoing conversation with God, and learn to enjoy His presence. It is in this regard that we pray continuously because our relationship with God should be guarded and not be broken by sin or neglect.

This means that we learn to practise the presence of God, walk with Him and talk with Him everywhere. If we forget Him, we can carry symbols to gently remind us of His presence – a Bible, a cross, Scripture verses, etc. We can develop habits of praying every hour, every time we meet someone or begin and end something.

Secondly, we are to “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16). Joy is not dependent on circumstances – happiness is. We feel happy when things go well for us. But joy is something that transcends circumstances (particularly favourable ones) and comes from a living relationship with God. Note that when Paul wrote Philippians he was in a Roman prison. Here he wrote, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Philippians 4:11).

In prison, he thought much about the deep things of God, his life journey and his relationship with Jesus. All this brought him unshakeable joy that no adverse circumstance could take away from him. He realised that “The Lord is near” (v. 5) and that brought him joy even in a depressing prison environment.

Indeed, we will have constant joy if we seek the Lord’s face always (1 Chronicles 16:10-11). Such a living relationship with Jesus is characterised by love for Him and obedience to His will (Deuteronomy 11:1). The more we love Him and obey Him, the fuller our joy will be.

Thirdly, we must be prepared to preach and share about Jesus at all times. “Preach the Word, be prepared in season and out of season …” (2 Timothy 4:2).

Once when a few church leaders and I visited Nepal to explore mission possibilities, we were taken to a village where a tent had been erected. We were told, to our great surprise, that there would be a celebration lasting a few days and that we would be preaching. We had to quickly pray and organise our thoughts and ourselves to preach a few times every day. As a result, God brought many into His Kingdom.

What is true for preachers is also true for all Christians. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). We must be ready to witness for Jesus any time.

Whatever circumstances you may encounter, however your days turn out, remember that there are some things God expects you to do all the time, in season and out of season. These things have no season because they arise from a living and growing relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, all the time, you can have a praying soul, a joyful heart, and a witnessing voice and life.

Discussion Questions:

How prepared are you to answer questions regarding your Christian faith and hope – in order to win some winsomely (1 Peter 3:15). What prevents you from doing so, and what can you do (e.g. praying and committing yourself daily, thinking through

possible questions, reading relevant books) to be a witness of Jesus all the time?