This week we focus on the importance of constant, continuous prayer.  This is something completely foreign to most of us...the idea that we should be prayer continuously throughout the day.  When you pray, are you doing so because you have something troubling you for which you want help?  Most people readily pray for help and comfort in hard times but not many people remember to pray with a thankful heart for all that is given to them and all the blessings they enjoy.

Moses continually prayed to the Lord and while he remained in prayer with the staff of God upheld Joshua was defeating Amalek in battle...but when Moses' arms grew weary and they lowered Amalek began to have the upper hand in the battle.  This is a very good illustration of the power of continual prayer.  The Lord wants to answer our prayers...sometimes we don't get the answer we want because all things must serve the will of the Lord first.  Sometimes we do not think our prayers are answered but maybe we don't recognize the answer for what it is or maybe we cannot "hear" very well.

As the Psalm says this week "I lift up my eyes toward the mountains;
whence shall help come to me? My help is from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth."  The demo and lead sheet can be found here.

Let's remember to carry on a continuous dialog with the Lord, praying in thanksgiving, praying to offer up our own suffering for the sake of others, praying for strength and courage, praying for understanding and wisdom, praising the Lord for all His marvelous works and with a grateful heart for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us!  It isn't all about our aches and pains and sorrows, it's about our love and our joy too!  No pain can remove the love and the joy we have for the Lord just as no pain removed His love for us!  Our love can be strengthened by our suffering instead!  Remind yourself that when you speak to a friend or family member you share both good and bad news and comfort and celebrate together.  Our relationship with the Lord shouldn't be any less, that's for certain!

Teach your children to love God with all their heart and soul, mind and body and to always "talk" to the Lord...saying thank you for every good thing and asking for help when it is needed and sharing their suffering with Christ for the sake of others!  Give a listen to Closer -by Matt Retz and experience true gratefulness for all we receive from our God!

Have a blessed week,
In Christ,
Elaine