Most of us have probably seen the Disney/Pixar animated movie “Finding Nemo.” You remember that it’s a great story of an overly-cautious clown-fish father in search of his adventurous, now lost clown-fish son (Nemo). In the ocean-journey to find Nemo, the father meets up with a fish, named Dori, who has some necessary information and a willingness to help. But there is one huge problem, Dori has a very short-term memory. Still yet, she eventually helps father and son clown-fish reunite.
One of the things that helps Dori and also proves helpful for finding Nemo is expressed in a little ditty, “Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.” When she seems to forget everything and everyone else, she has been taught to remember one thing: just keep swimming! That’s what a fish does. Now lest you think I have stepped off the deep end, this blog is not about singing fish! But it is about remembering one thing when we can’t seem to make sense out of anything. Just as a fish (even an animated fish) is meant to swim, we as born-again children of God are meant for intimacy with God in prayer. Prayer is the oxygen of spiritual life. It is our spiritual breathing. When we are confused, lost, frustrated, turned around, sick, anxious, joyful, discouraged, even depressed we need to hear in our souls, “Just keep praying, just keep praying.” This is surely one of the lessons we learn from the Psalter. The Psalmists cry out to God in all types of circumstances and at all times of the day. In times of fear he prays (Ps 56). In times of injustice he prays (Ps 17). In times of intense suffering and loneliness he prays (Ps 22). In times of shame, he prays (Ps 3). In times of deliverance, he prays (Ps 18). In times of guilt, he prays (Ps 32 & 51). In times of near unbelief, he prays (Ps 73). In times of depression he prays (Ps 42). In times of wonder and worship he prays (Ps 8). In times of joy and celebration he prays (Ps 45)! Brothers and sisters let us never forget that we were created in Christ for intimacy with God in prayer. No matter what life circumstances we find ourselves in, may we remember: “Just keep praying, just keep praying.” Comments are closed.
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AuthorChuck Cook is the pastor of Grace Bible Church - Rolla. Archives
April 2020
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