Pray Without Ceasing
Thirty-One Days in Prayer
by
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Day 8: Why is This Happening to Me?
"Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong." 1 Corinthians 16 NIV.
"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:4 NIV
"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12 NIV
I asked a colleague, "Why is this happening to me?". She responded, "Be careful asking questions like that." Sometimes life feels like that. Why me? What did I do? We often seek understanding when we face challenges and mishaps. We pray often, we go to church, we seek counsel, anything to help us get some answers.
But what if this is not "happening to you"? What if God allows the difficulty, the wilderness, to take you to the next level of your life? So often, with the characters of the Bible, we see regular ordinary men and women called to accomplish tremendous things with the power of God moving and orchestrating exchanges and events. Instead of taking a deficit perspective to your wilderness, ask God what He wants to teach you there. Ask Him to give you the strength, peace, and patience to endure until He says this season is over. Just because things are not going well in your life does not necessarily mean that you have done something wrong. God is perhaps using this season to strengthen your faith and endurance to stand firm in the next chapter of your journey.
What about you? Can God trust you with difficulty? Do you become unrecognizable when you are in despair? In those difficult moments, I encourage you to ask God to fortify your mind and heart so you can stand during the days of trials and tribulation.
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About the Book
Audrey Tousant Shelby’s authentic and transparent approach to creating an active and sustainable prayer life is relatable and simple.
She wrote Pray without Ceasing after hearing a soft voice tell her, “Write a book about prayer.” She quickly jotted down the instructions and then heard, “Pray without ceasing.” She wrote that down, too.
What she heard is often explained by people who say, “Something told me.” But she has never thought of it in that way. She is sure that she heard the Lord.
In this book, she reveals the challenges she’s faced over the years, including serious family conflicts, health challenges, and other difficulties. Through it all, she put her faith in God.
Each daily entry includes a reflections section and prayer journal, which encourage thoughtful personal reflection, critical thinking, and accountability. You’ll be able to apply this approach and methodology as you grow in your Christian walk.
No matter what obstacle you’re facing, the wisdom and guidance in this book will inspire you to hope again—one prayer at a time.
About the Author
Audrey Tousant Shelby, MSW, is an author, educator, social worker, and leader. When she came to Christ, she found herself battling with deep seeded anger, depression, and unforgiveness. The one thing that had been consistent in her life was prayer. She wrote Pray without Ceasing to help people transform their lives by drawing closer to God through prayer.