Copyrighted image by author. Author’s son and grandson shown above.
Fish are quite at home in water. While food, friendship, courtship, exploration and more is found in their environment, the water itself is the most important aspect. They live in water nicely because their gills remove oxygen from the water. Anyone who fishes realizes fish do not survive out of water for long.
True disciples of Christ can learn a lesson from that: remove a fish from its environment of blessing and it dies. The same would be true for us for lack of clean air from where we get our oxygen. We naturally breathe. Now, consider this quote from William Evans(1) about prayer: “The Christian life cannot be sustained without it; it is the Christian’s vital breath.”
Evans rightfully compares our need to pray to that of our need to breathe. And, just as breathing is continual, so must be prayer (1Thessalonians 5:17): “Pray without ceasing.”
Prayer is communicating with God which is not only speaking to Him, but permitting Him to speak to us. Please see my article, ”How To Know The Voice of God” in regard to God speaking.
While there are times of what I might call “focused” prayer, the balance of our time needs to have a part of our mind reserved for, and always active in, communicating with God. Such a state of mind helps to protect us from sin, increases our sense of any danger, and can actually make our day go smoother. It’s great to hear God say “do this first, that later,” and then discover He saved you some time and perhaps spared you from unneeded problems.
Anyone calling themselves a disciple of Christ should learn to develop a constant consciousness of prayer with God every moment of their earthly life, communing with Him while working, playing, relaxing, and in every facet of their life. Even when facing an emergency we should be in communion with God, not thinking at all in our minds that we have to separate prayer to God from calling for human help in an emergency.
Continual prayer makes one a better worker, parent, and more while they commune with God, remembering that prayer is two-way communication. You speak with Him and He speaks with you.
The list of the benefits of continual prayer might be infinite, but let us remember Evan’s thought, that it is our vital breath. However, there is at least one stark contrast between physical breathing and prayer for those who truly are surrendered to Christ. Though our physical breathing stops at physical death, if we are in Christ at that point of time, we continue to “spiritually breathe” into the fullness of our inheritance of Eternal Life.
However, just as we pull a fish out of water and it dies, if we turn away from Christ, our prayerful life suffers and we spiritually die. Yes, I know some backsliders say they continue to pray, but their condition indicates they are not listening to God in the sense of obeying Him.
Let us make sure we get into Christ and stay in Christ, spiritually breathing every moment in our environment of blessing.
Notes:
(1) William Evans, The Great Doctrines of the Bible: Moody Press, Chicago, IL;p171
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God willing, this will be part of my Bible GemLight Series as turquoise009.
Very ture.
I look at Jesus not only as my Savior, but best friend who is always there. I feel comfortable talking with Him.
Yes I like to ask for simple things as well as great, like getting a seat on the bus.
Just as important is to give thanks for all the simple and great things He does for us, like a meal. I don’t say thanks before the meal, I say it while enjoying it. I believe it give more sincerity to the gratitude.
God bless you.
I would like to “fish”.
I wish my faith was this strong. Its hard to know whats right and whats wrong sometime.