I studied Latin in high school. OK, I sat through four years of Latin class. Four years of conjugating verbs, memorizing gender-specific endings and endless translations from Julius Caesar’s war diaries. All that studying and translating and I can barely remember any of it. But I was really proud of myself when I came across a Latin phrase in a murder mystery I was reading: “Ignorantia juris non excusat.” Simply translated, it means, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.” That means that even if you didn’t know the speed limit was 35 mph, you are still probably going to be ticketed for driving 65 mph, especially if you were driving ignorant of the law right past the police station.
I suppose that’s why people charged with crimes cannot claim that they were unaware of the law and are therefore not liable for any fines or penalties. I know there are exceptions, but I’ll leave them for the TV talking head legal pundits. But right now, for the sake of this little column, let us agree that ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking the law.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray continually.” Stated in the imperative, those two words are a commandment for us. A law of sorts. We are to pray continually. All the time. Without stopping. In other words, we are to pray as often (and as naturally) as we breathe.
When you don’t know how to pray, pray anyway. Ignorance is no excuse.
When you don’t feel like praying, pray anyway. Depression is no excuse.
When you can’t muster enough enthusiasm to change channels, much less pray, pray anyway. Boredom is no excuse.
When you don’t really see a need to intercede for those about you, pray anyway. Spiritual blindness is no excuse.
When you’ve grown indifferent and don’t read the Bible the way you once did, pray anyway. Spiritual laziness is no excuse.
When you don’t understand what the big deal is about prayer, when you think pray is overrated and you know that your prayers don’t get any higher than the ceiling, pray anyway. Spiritual immaturity is no excuse.
When you’re too tired to remember your name, address and phone number, pray anyway. Fatigue is no excuse.
When you come before God, confessing the same sins over and over, pray anyway. Shame is no excuse.
When you’ve been unfaithful, have betrayed those you love, have rebelled against God, and are burdened with a load of guilt so heavy you can’t stand up under it, pray anyway. Sin is no excuse.
When Satan whispers (or shouts) to you that there really is no God, or that God is not really interested in a no-account person like you, pray anyway. Unbelief is no excuse.
No matter what our emotions or circumstance, there is no time, no circumstance, no condition in which prayer is not necessary, not vital, not helpful, and not the right thing to do. Ignorance of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 is no excuse.
We are to pray continually.
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, maybe reached at VrdSpeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
No matter what our circumstances, there is no excuse not to pray
- Religion
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The Joy Lady: What kind of promises does a God like ours deserve?
I should have known better. I did everything I could to make sure it didn’t happen, but it did anyway. I trusted someone — and when that someone didn’t do as promised, I was disappointed. I felt betrayed. How dare they not do what they said they would do?
- Church briefs: June 15, 2013
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Sister Jeanne Knoerle, former president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, has died
Sister Jeanne Knoerle, former president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, died early this morning at her home in Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, it is being reported on the Sisters of Providence Facebook site.
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A night of prayer
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to another Taizé prayer event at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods to reflect on the joys and wonders of the river through prayer at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: June 8, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Pull your wheels out of the Sunday morning rut
Go about five miles west of Guernsey, Wy., and you might fall into some ruts. During the Oregon Trail years, so many wagons traveled through the soft sandstone there that deep ruts were formed—some as deep as four to six feet.
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‘Prayer Warrior Mom’ author at Open Door Bookstore June 3
Author and speaker Marla Alupoaicei will sign copies of her new book “Prayer Warrior Mom” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, June 3, in The Open Door Christian Bookstore at 3125 S. Third Place, behind Honey Creek Mall.
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THE JOY LADY: Because Vacation Bible School is that important!
It’s that time of year again — Vacation Bible School time. Frazzled VBS directors are begging for teachers, song leaders and kitchen helpers. For VBS directors everywhere, let me offer some words of truth and encouragement.
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‘The Conscience Monologues’ at St. Mary-of-the-Woods
There is something moving and powerful in hearing a woman recount her story of faith and courage in today’s world. Plan now to attend a dramatic telling of more than 10 such stories during “The Conscience Monologues: Women’s Stories of Conscience within the Catholic Church” from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. June 22 in Reilly Auditorium, Owens Hall, at St. Mary-of-the-Woods.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: June 1, 2013
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South Vigo Congregational Christian plans memorial service
The South Vigo Congregational Christian Church and the South Vigo Cemetery will stage an annual memorial service at 2 p.m. on June 2 in the church at 6499 Darwin Road, West Terre Haute.
The public is invited to attend and share a poem, song or other sentiment. - RELIGION BRIEFS: May 24, 2013
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Get in touch with prayer at Body Prayer workshop
Could your prayer life use some invigorating? If so, the Body Prayer workshop offered by White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, may be for you.
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THE JOY LADY: We are not in charge. God is. Get over it, already.
If I were in charge of the world, I would run things a bit differently.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 25, 2013
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Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
- Church briefs: May 18, 2013
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The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
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Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
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Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
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THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 11, 2013
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Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
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THE JOY LADY: When awe leaves us, we leave room for doubt
In any given gathering of grade-schoolers or even a gaggle of teenagers, in all likelihood, you will hear certain words over and over:
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
- RELIGION BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
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Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
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Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
The concert is free and open to the public. -
THE JOY LADY: Christ is coming again. Are you ready for that?
An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 27, 2013
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