The Bible says to pray without ceasing. How does one do that? The Bible puts no restraints on that order, in other words there are no circumstances that say stop praying, giving thanks and rejoicing.

How do we do that? In all circumstances? That seems impossible to me. Seems to go against human nature, but think about what would not happen if people did this. There would be no riots, no protests, and just maybe no wars. This is the answer, not renaming things and pulling down statues. This is the key to healing, loving and being able to live by the Golden Rule.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 English Standard Version (ESV)

16 Rejoice always,

17 pray without ceasing,

18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

If we rejoiced always and took our petitions before God, and asked him to renew our spirits as individuals and as a country, what miracles might happen? If we didn't respond with angst and anger to the news, didn't feel the need to fly our own protest flag against those who are protesting, didn't respond tit for tat so to speak, but turned our hearts to the Creator of us all what would happen?

Philippians 4:4-8

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Diane use to be one of the worship leaders when we were members of our church in Virginia Beach. She was very good at leading folks into praise and worship. She was good not because she was the best guitar player, or had the best voice. No, she was great because of her spirit, because her heart was, is, towards God. The day before or very early Sunday morning she would be in the living room, praying and singing and worshiping God, she tuned in to the Lord and stayed that way all through the service. Her heart and spirit carried folks with her to that special place behind the veil. I believe she stayed in that special place all week long, while cooking, changing diapers, washing clothes, making beds, looking after the church books, going to work with me and pulling wire. I could be sweating up in a ceiling and I would hear her humming a praise song, down below me. Workers around us noticed, the folks in our church loved her, and most importantly I know God loves her and inhabits her praise.

What would it be like if we all had her attitude?

When we all can go back to church unfettered as a group. what might it be like if we start praising and praying before we go thru the door? What if we are in the spirit of praise before the singers on stage or the choir has warmed up? We should not let worship be some kind of take it for granted habit, let it become dull, no, as David said:

"I will walk into the house of God with a perfect heart."

Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving grateful praise.

1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.