Each morning we are awakened by voices in the darkness. I look at my watch and it’s right on time – 4:30am. It’s hard to wake up but slowly we work our way outside. We walk into a small building where people have already gathered and begun to pray. As I pray I listen to Chichewa voices praying around. I am amazed by the passion of these people. I can barely form words this early in the morning but they are crying out with loud voices to their Father. Some lay on their face, others jump up and down shouting out in praise.

This passion they demonstrate is not only found in the early morning hours, but all through the day. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, "Pray without ceasing." This seems like a hard verse to live out but it is how these people live each and every day and we are taking part in it this month. Prayer fills our days. We join in with the prayer for meals, for journey, for the sick, the mourning, the discouraged, and even before leaving the living room at night. Many times I find myself listening in awe to the pastor and his wife as they pray while they cook, walk through town, wash clothes, or just at random times throughout the day. We will have just finished praying and they will be praying again.

They are a living, breathing example of 1 Thessalonians 5:17. It seems crazy when you first witness how they live and pray each day. But after you get used to it and experience it along with them, it makes so much sense. This is how we talk to the Father – He listens to us when we pray to Him. When we pray for the sick, they are healed. God is our protector and provider, but He is also our friend. We can talk to Him at any moment, about anything we need to. So it just makes sense to take full advantage of that amazing gift and fill our days from beginning to end with prayer.

The biggest thing I hope to take away from this month is a new passion for prayer. I want to grow stronger in my communication with God and long to talk to Him more each day. I pray that my life can be an example to others the way their lives have been an example to me.

James 5:16 "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."