The verse anchor
“Pray without ceasing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 · King James Bible
The story
In a warm African town very long ago, there lived a Christian woman named Monica. She loved Jesus with her whole heart, and she had a bright, brilliant, very stubborn son named Augustine.
Augustine was clever. He grew up and became one of the best speakers of his time. But he wandered far from God. He tried every wrong path he could find. His mother's heart broke over him.
So Monica prayed. And Monica prayed. And Monica prayed.
She prayed for one year. And then five years. And then ten years. And then fifteen. Her friends said, "Perhaps the Lord has said no." But Monica said, "The son of so many tears cannot be lost."
Augustine sailed to Italy to get away from her prayers. She followed him with prayers. He tried to escape her one night by ship — she prayed on the shore.
And at last, one afternoon in a garden in Milan, Augustine sat down on the grass and wept, and gave his whole life to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Monica saw it. She held him in her arms. Not long after, she died — a very happy woman, at peace. Her son grew up to be Saint Augustine, one of the greatest teachers the Church has ever known. But he was first, and always, Monica's answered prayer.
Memory verse
“Pray without ceasing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 · KJV
Say it three times before bed. In seven days you will know it forever.
A prayer
Father, teach me to pray and not give up.
Hold every person I love in Your good hands.
Amen.