SMR Prayer Group

Two-Track Minds

Prayer in a Christian’s life is as essential as breathing. You simply can’t have a close relationship with God without spending time in His presence. The Bible tells us over and over again the importance of prayer. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, we’re told to “pray without ceasing.” Many are confused by this verse and often say, “How can I get anything done if I’m always praying?” But others would argue, “How do you get anything done if you don’t pray all the time?” The word “cease” means “to stop,” so if you were to take this scripture literally then it would be understandable why there is so much confusion about praying without stopping! That would mean that you wouldn’t eat, sleep, or even go to the bathroom because you couldn’t stop praying. But that’s not what God is talking about. He wants His children to have “two-track minds”! In other words, always be in tune to what the Holy Spirit is impressing you and then respond to those impressions while at the same time going about your daily activities. Having a two-track mind is actually a good definition of walking hand in hand with Jesus, talking to Him continually and responding as the Holy Spirit leads. It’s such a beautiful thing to have that kind of close relationship with your Best Friend, Jesus! He wants you to share everything with Him. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” And in Luke 11:9-10, we’re promised that God not only listens, but responds: “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” What an incredible promise! Yes, there are times that God wants us to spend “alone time” with Him–those special times where we share our praises as well as our burdens in a heart-to-heart conversation with our Lord and Savior, our heavenly Father. The Bible says in Matthew 6:6-8, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” In other words, God loves those private moments with Him, and He doesn’t want you to pray long, eloquent, tedious prayers for the benefit of others to hear. He just wants to hear from you, in your own words, humbly having a conversation with Him. How wonderful to know that God is there for you, day or night, whether you’re alone or with someone or whether you are on vacation or working. No matter where you are, what you are doing, or what time it is, He is always listening, always caring, and always available. So develop a “two-track mind” and pray without ceasing. Text: Psalm 86:3, Ephesians 6:18, Luke 18:1, Romans 12:12

© Brenda Walsh Ministries www.brendawalsh.com