Pray Rejoicing

 

With all the hype and worry that naturally fills any Presidential election year we now find that November has come and gone leaving with a sigh of relief. I have to admit I’ve joined in on the rejoicing of the election outcome though still somewhat optimistic as to the plans and promises of the new administration. I know the country and the world will never be free of evil, but I believe God has heard our prayers and has granted mankind a reprieve from His wrath in exchange for repentance and revival. Prayer is now as, if not more important, than ever all this year to realize a brilliant sunrise on 2025. I was asked how and when and where the best way is to pray. I dug up the following quip about prayer.

"The proper way for a man to pray," Said Deacon Lemuel Keyes, " And the only proper attitude, Is down upon his knees." "No, I should say the way to pray," Said Rev. Dr. Wise, Is standing straight, with outstretched arms, And rapt and upturned eyes." "Oh, no; no, no," said Elder Slow, Such posture is too proud; A man should pray with eyes fast closed And head contritely bowed." "It seems to me his hands should be, Austerely clasped in front, With both thumbs pointing toward the ground," Said Rev. Dr. Blunt. "Las' year I fell in Hodgkin's well Headfirst," said Cyrus Brown, With both my heels a-stickin' up, My head a-pinting down. "An' I made a prayer right then an' there-- Best prayer I ever said. The prayingest prayer I ever prayed, A-standing on my head." The Prayer of Cyrus Brown by Sam Walter Foss.

[1 Thessalonians 5:16-22] “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” Although written to members of the fledgling church, this scripture can be aptly applied to anyone’s plan of revival and/or repentance to receive more of God’s grace.

The Bible speaks a number of times regarding rejoicing. * David once stated, “This is the day which the Lord has made,” and then he added, “We will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Why isn’t that just as true today as the day David wrote it? A celebrated writer once wrote, “Every new day is a miracle.” The point: “the Lord did not owe us another day, but He gave it to us.” * In the days of Nehemiah, when the people of God had combined their efforts in a great cause, they were coaxed to rejoice and were reminded: “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Then the people responded with great rejoicing “because they now understood the words that had been made known to them” (Nehemiah 8:12). * Even in the shadow of the hideous cross, Jesus told the disciples, “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Of course, they were not glad that Jesus had to suffer so but were to rejoice at the happy results—their redemption (cf. Ephesians 1:7; Romans 3:24-25). * It is recorded of the early church that they “received their food with glad and generous hearts” (Acts 2:46, ESV). * In the marvelous book of Philippians, we read that Paul counseled Christians to “rejoice in the Lord” (Philippians 3:1); and then a chapter later repeated, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). * The Thessalonians were instructed similarly, to “rejoice always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). * What a wonderful reason Jesus gave the early disciples to rejoice when He said, “rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

Have we ever thought that when we are told to “rejoice,” that it implies making a conscious effort to do so? Happiness is not automatic—it’s a choice! “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). Thanksgiving must be every day.