Instant In Prayer.

Rom 12:12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer

Patient in tribulation.

So very contradictory to our seemingly nature response. What would we call someone who in the middle of sudden tribulation they remain calm? Strange? Unusual? Odd? Or maybe you're thinking of controlled tribulation- is there such a thing?

Tribulation - great trouble, suffering.

Sure, we can have great trouble in a controlled way. A lot of great trouble is all around us and we live in it, day by day dealing with it- patiently? Maybe. But sudden tribulation- great trouble, sudden suffering can be very traumatic and hard to react patiently when it is experienced. 

Patient in tribulation- continuing instant in prayer.  Perhaps the two have to go together in order for us to have that patience in tribulation. The patience comes from the prayer, and the prayer is us practicing the presence of God.

I read a book once, called 'Practicing the Presence of God.'  I don't really remember much about it, but I believe it was about prayer. It makes sense, we are truly practicing the presence of God in prayer if we are praying in sincerity. When you talk with someone, really talk with someone you are in their presence even if you are talking to people who are sleeping in their graves, or to yourself, or to others that aren't really around- you are in what is their presence. When you think of someone you are recalling them in various situations. Often when we remember someone from our distant past we are viewing them and recalling them from their youth. When you see them as they are currently the memories conflict a bit, yet you see at least the shadows of their youth, if not a bit more. You are bringing them truly to mind when you think of them. When you are talking with God you are putting yourself in His presence in a miraculous way that isn't one of memory, or one of wishful thinking it is true presence. You are believing in the reality of a God who loves you and wants to hear you, and CAN hear you. His holy presence is a miracle we are allowed, we are honored with. When we find ourselves in tribulation we can find patience in that tribulation only in God, only in our Savior Jesus Christ in the hope, in the faith of them. 

In the great holocaust, in the various world wars, and even the wars that haven't warranted the title - world, people have had to endure great tribulation that lasted a long time. Their existence one of pure torture and yet some of those who survived the horrors of that tribulation can relate their ability to endure to their belief in God.  Some might find that hard to believe, but not everyone denies God when they suffer great horrors, even those of the long lasting kind.

Patient in tribulation, continuing INSTANT in prayer.

Instant in prayer. Instantly in God's presence throughout all of life's tragedies, traumas, and tribulation. Instant in prayer through the good and bad, God in our life always and in all things. 

Praise His holy name! All glory, all honor, all praise- always!

In Jesus Christ our Lord, now and forever!