Verse of the Day for July 30

Two of these verses are among the shortest in the Bible. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. You could write them both on the back of your hand.

Without ceasing cannot mean speaking words every second. Paul made tents, travelled, argued and slept. It means prayer that is never fully switched off, a conversation you keep returning to all day, like calling out now and then to a friend in the next room.

The end of the day is when that conversation becomes visible. Lying down, you can look back and see where you spoke to God and where you forgot. That is not a reason for guilt. It is a chance to pick the thread up again.

Then verse eighteen: In every thing give thanks. In, not for. Paul does not ask you to thank God for the argument or the bad diagnosis. He asks you to find something to thank him for inside it. And he says plainly, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Tonight, before sleep, walk back through the day from morning to now, the bus, the office, the meal, the call. In each, find one thing to thank him for. Then tell him you will take up the conversation again in the morning.

The day ends, but the conversation with God does not have to.

Look back tonight and find one gift hidden in each hour.