Praying Without Ceasing

For the past almost 3 weeks, I've been trying to find a way to put this into words. At this time almost 3 weeks ago, I was feeling distant from God, and just plain sick of all the bad in the world. Then the unexpected happened. A cousin and dear friend of more than a few people I know was working and had a horrible accident. It was on that day that the call for prayer went out. It was also that day that I felt called to do what I could to help those in need.

I can't even begin to express what the past almost 3 weeks and praying for this person has been like. He is just a stranger, just a brother in Christ who is in need of prayer. And I'm one of more than 5000 people who are praying for him. There is a place on Facebook where everyone who has been willing to pray for him recieves daily updates on how he is doing, the progress he is making, as well as the not so good moments. More than 5000 people see this. That many have come together as one to raise this person and his needs to God. That many laugh, shed tears, grow closer to God, get inspiried, and are truly amazed every single day.

From a stranger's point of view, this has been an amazing journey. It has brought me closer to God. It has caused me to pray without ceasing as it's put in Paul's letter to the Thessalonians. It's caused me to look at my life, and my own strength, and be grateful for what I have, for the little things, and for finding strength in Christ. It's caused me to be very humble about quietly praying my heart out every day for a brother in Christ that I don't even know. It's caused me to believe more strongly in the power of prayer, and the fact that there is such strength in numbers. It's caused me to look at unity and God's will in a different way. So many people have come together for a common cause, and it's amazing.

There is a great lesson here; one that comes from God alone. When you feel like giving up, when you are wondering if God hears your prayers, that is when He gives you something to increase your faith. He proves that He does not want anyone giving up. My lesson came in a very amazing and inspiring way. And not everyone's is like that, but like it says in the Bible, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1:Thessalonians 5:16-18