Keep the Line Open

Well, come on up to this ol’ front porch, friend, and nab yourself that there ol’ ladderback chair before the ol’ barn cat decides it sho’-nuff’ inherited the property. Pour yourself somethin’ good and cold and settle in because today we’re gonna be talkin’ about prayer, and prayer ought to be as natural a thing to a Christian as cluckin’ is to a chicken hen that just discovered somebody left the feed bucket open.

Paul sho’-nuff’ gives us three little ol’ words with a mighty big meanin’ in 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.” Now, that don’t mean spendin’ all day kneelin’ beside the sofa until your knees sound like two lil’ ol’ squirrels crackin’ walnuts. It downright means keepin’ your heart turned toward God all day long.

Think about those people you love the most. You don’t schedule one five minute conversation with ‘em and announce, “Well, that oughta hold us till tomorrow.” You talk while supper’s cookin’, while drivin’ down the road, while foldin’ the towels, and sometimes from one room to another loud enough to frighten an ol’ possum right off the porch.

Prayer sho’-nuff’ works much the same way.

You can whisper, “Lord, help me,” before answerin’ a difficult person. You can thank Him when sunlight comes spillin’ through the trees. You can tell Him you’re real scared, tired, grateful, confused, or happier than a lil’ ol’ calf turned loose in a fresh green pasture.

And Psalm 116:2 says, “Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.” God don’t merely tolerate our prayers. He plum leans His ear toward us.

That there changes prayer from a religious obligation into a relationship.

Philippians 4:6 tells us to bring everything to God “by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving.” Everything means the great big ol’ burdens and the little bitty aggravations. Heaven’s line is always open.

Father, teach me to walk through my day in conversation with You. Remind me that You hear every whispered fear, grateful thought, and desperate prayer. Keep my heart close to Yours and make prayer the natural rhythm of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now skedaddle on off into whatever’s remainin’ of your day, friend, and don’t you be lettin’ your conversation with God end at the porch steps. Talk to Him when life is real peaceful and when it’s plum carryin’ on like an ol’ bobcat trapped real tight in a wash tub. Keep your heart pointed heavenward like a sunflower huntin’ for daylight. And remember, wherever today takes you, you never have to travel one single step without the Almighty God listenin’.

With joy,

Gwen