“Whisper a Prayer” . . . I vividly remember singing this song with my parents when I was a little girl.  That song remained etched in my memory as I went to college, reminding me that fellowshipping with my heavenly Father was key to “keeping my heart in tune.”  And isn’t that what we all sincerely desire?  To keep our hearts in tune?  

I Thessalonians 5:17 straightforwardly commands us to pray “without ceasing” – to pray with constancy and perseverance.  Unfortunately, I do not always respond to the simple message of “Whisper a Prayer” or to the command of this verse.  Despite knowing that I should consistently pray about details in my life, I don’t.  Despite knowing that my heavenly Father desires that I consistently bring all my cares to Him, I don’t.  

Maybe you find yourself in the same situation.  Instead of persevering in prayer, we read more devotional books, turn on Bible-based podcasts, or text family or friends for advice.  Now don’t get me wrong.  I am not at all against devotional books, podcasts, or godly advice, for God has used those vignettes to fill my heart and my mind with edifying thoughts.  Many times.  

But this week – Well, this week God has certainly convicted my heart and caused me to pause and evaluate – Am I “praying without ceasing” when I choose to turn to those venues and neglect prayer? No.  I’m not.  Can any of those venues replace prayer in addressing my hurts, my questions, my fears, my uncertainties, and my wavering?  And again, the answer is no – no, they cannot.  

So here’s the resolve that God renewed in my heart this week – I must strengthen my prayer life. Intentionally.  Perseveringly.  Without delay.  Today, I must be committed to growing my prayer life.  Out with the fickle.  In with the intentional.  

God then brought to mind other songs to encourage me in my renewed journey: 

“What a friend we have in Jesus
All our sins and griefs to bear
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.”

“Sweet hour of prayer 
Sweet hour of prayer 
That calls me from a world of care
And bids me at my Father’s throne 
Make all my wants and wishes known.”

“I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses;
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me,
And He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.”

Are we “keeping our hearts in tune” through the privilege of prayer?  It’s a thought worth pondering.