“… pray without ceasing…for this is the will of God.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

For all you married folks… if I could make one wish for you for 2024 that would improve

your marriage, here’s what I wish for (because this is what I’m hoping for myself) I would

wish that we would learn how to improve the way that we talk to our spouse.

But…if I got one wish for EVERYONE…all of our elementary age believers all the way

up to our precious senior saints…one wish that would not just improve marriage, but

would improve everything, I would wish that we would learn how to improve the way we

talk to our God.

No matter where you are on your spiritual journey…non-believer, open hearted seeker,

new Christian, or seasoned disciple, here’s what I would ask from God on your behalf:

Lord…teach us how to pray so that we would pray a little bit more in 2024.

What do I want for my daughter as she leaves home this year and transitions to life in

college? “For her to pray a little bit more in 2024.”

What do I want for my wife and my extended family as we approach both the blessings

and challenges of a new year? “For us to pray a little bit more in 2024.”

What do I want for those whose faith is hanging by a thread in the midst of physical,

mental or emotional suffering? “For them to pray just a little bit more in 2024."

Prayer is GROUND ZERO in our relationship with the God of the Universe. Prayer

doesn’t facilitate our relationship with God, prayer IS our relationship with God! Prayer is

the command center, it’s mission control, it’s grand central station. And if you think your

relationship with God is strong while you’re prayer life is sporadic, you’re deceiving

yourself.



Of all the things I could hope for us in the new year…SERIOUSLY…why would I hope

for us to pray a little bit more in 2024? Because the greatest comfort in this life is a close

relationship with God and that only comes through prayer.

Application: Review 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. Write this verse down and stick it where

you will see it often this week. When you see this verse simply whisper up this simple

prayer “Lord teach me to pray that I would pray more in 2024.”

By Jimmy Carter

Jimmy serves as the Ministries Pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church. He is married to Carrie, his treasured

wife of 24 years, and they have one beloved daughter named Christy Ann “C.A.” who is a Senior at LCA

and will attend UK and play golf for the Wildcats next Fall.