How to know when to pray for rescue
Saying it is one thing, understanding it is another...
My grandfather was a clock enthusiast.
He had some of the coolest, most fascinating stopwatches and clocks I have ever seen.
And he told me about every single one of them.
Which is why I know that these aren’t grandfather clocks in this picture…these are grandson clocks!
(If you’re itching to know the difference, grandfather clocks stand on the ground whereas grandson clocks can be hung on walls—and did you know there are grandmother and granddaughter clocks, too?? Another time.)
The concept of keeping time was a fascination for my grandfather, one that rubbed off on me.
The fact that, in a pre-digital era, people could keep trains running on time across the entire nation with a pocket watch…absolutely incredible.
Knowing when to act, on just about anything, is at least 50% of the stress of the action.
Timing is important.
And the same goes for our prayers, especially when it’s time to pray for rescue.
And, yet, time moves on. Or, rather, our perception of time moves on.
Knowing when to pray isn’t something Jesus provides for us in The Lord’s Prayer.
Instead, Paul tells us to “pray without ceasing.”
And, we get the sense from the New Testament that Jesus was someone who was constantly praying.
…when you’re constantly moving toward prayer, timing seems to matter less…
…more on this thought tomorrow, though…
My prayer for today
Our Father, help us understand that the best time to ask for rescue is to be praying all the time, in some form or fashion. Jesus, gently remind me that you found times and places to pray, even when they seemed inconvenient, that were actually the best time to stop and pray. Amen.
Remember
Stop and pray. Right now. Whenever you are reading this.
And do it again the next time something reminds you to pray.
And the next time, and the next time, and the next time…