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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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.
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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.’”
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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
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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.
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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.
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THE JOY LADY: Let us pray that our hearts be blessed by God
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THE JOY LADY: You can learn a lot from a box of crayons
Denis Omar is a handsome third-grader in Ocotillo, Honduras. The last time I was in his home, his colored chalk drawings decorated the concrete block walls. His mother said when she got tired of one drawing, she’d wash the wall and have Denis draw another.
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BBQ fundraiser April 13 at Allen Chapel
Historic Allen Chapel’s annual barbecue dinner fundraiser is Saturday, April 13, in the Chapel at Third and Crawford streets. Serving will be from noon to 6 p.m. with a full-line of dinner, sandwiches, sides and desserts available. Chef Stephen Miller, formerly owner of the Black Skillet and now a caterer in Cincinnati, will again prepare the barbecue.
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THE JOY LADY: Most complaints tend to be pretty selfish
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Church briefs: April 6, 2013
What's going on this week at area churches.
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THE JOY LADY: Our attendance in worship services encourages other worshippers
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African children’s choir to perform at Mount Pleasant
The Watoto Children’s Choir, traveling from Africa, began its five-month eastern U.S. tour in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on Oct. 6 and are continuing the tour through Terre Haute, Lebanon, Indianapolis, Peru, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville and Vevay, from April 16 to May 1. All performances are free and open to the public.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 30, 2013
- Religion briefs: March 30, 2013
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THE JOY LADY: Is it time to change your habits, attitudes?
I’m usually introduced to people as “the preacher’s wife.” No name, just “the preacher’s wife.” But I’d prefer being known by what I call my “I am” statements. For instance, I am a wife. I am a speaker, I am a writer. I am a mother, I am a mother-in-law, I am a grandmother.
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Public invited to explore Guerin’s connection to nature
The Sisters of Providence invite the public to St. Mary-of-the-Woods on April 6 to explore Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and her connection to nature.
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