Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus (I Thessalonians 5:18 NLT).

A clear command, isn’t it?

I am encouraged by this verse. We don’t know what will happen next. Yet the command is clear. To “never stop praying.”

The next command: “be thankful.” We all have things to be thankful for. We’re thankful for friends up in northern Idaho, We enjoyed their hospitality, exploring Lake Pend Orielle (pronounced ponderay). They proudly showed us their new digs, enjoyed great food, and conversation.

After saying goodbye, we traveled from their home, twenty miles south of the Canadian border in Idaho, directly south for 500 miles. What scenery we saw! I am in awe of our great God and the beauty surrounding us.

We traveled south to visit other friends who recently moved to the Boise, Idaho area. To share a meal, enjoy a bike ride, to exchange ideas and catch up on our lives.

How about you? I’ll bet if you start listing your “thank-you’s” you might run out of room on the paper. I would.

What about the command: never stop praying? I admit sometimes I do more complaining about the situation than praying.

This coming Wednesday, and every Wednesday until the election, we have invited some praying friends to join us for a meal, and then pray for our nation. I suggest you do the same, even if it’s only with one other person.

We don’t know what’s around the next bend. But we know Who we can ask to be with us.

The last part of the two verses: This is God’s will for you who belong to Christ. 

Pray continually.

Give thanks.

Before we said goodbye to our Boise friends, we prayed together, resting in God’s will.

Reflect. Are you praying continually? Giving thanks? If you belong to Christ, that is what He is commanding for us to do.