在2023年3月24日，密西西比州的氣象學家馬特．勞班（Matt Laubhan）在天氣預報中，說出了簡單卻真誠的禱告而迅速竄紅。當時，他正在密切注意一個超級風暴，意識到一場災難性的龍捲風即將襲擊艾默里鎮。就在那時，勞班在電視直播中停頓了一下，說了全世界都能聽到的簡短禱告：「親愛的耶穌，請幫助他們，阿們！」後來，一些觀眾回應說，他的禱告提醒他們趕緊去尋找庇護。勞班發自內心真誠的祈禱，也許挽救了無數人的生命。

我們的禱告也會帶來改變。禱告無需囉嗦冗長，而是可以簡短扼要，並且在一天中任何時間都可以禱告。無論是在工作、處理瑣事或是度假，我們都可以「不住地禱告」（帖撒羅尼迦前書5章17節）。

上帝樂意聽見我們一整天都向祂禱告。使徒保羅提醒我們，不必被囚禁在憂慮或恐懼中，而是將一切憂愁和煩惱交給上帝：「應當一無掛慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝，將你們所要的告訴上帝。上帝所賜出人意外的平安，必在基督耶穌裡，保守你們的心懷意念。」（腓立比書4章6-7節）

無論我們正享受風和日麗的日子，還是正經歷生活中有形或無形風暴的打擊，讓我們謹記，在一天當中要停下來向上帝禱告。

A meteorologist in Mississippi went viral for uttering six simple yet profound words during his weather forecast on March 24, 2023. Matt Laubhan was tracking a severe storm when he realized a catastrophic tornado was about to bear down on the town of Amory. That’s when Laubhan paused on live TV to say this prayer heard worldwide: “Dear Jesus, please help them. Amen.” Some viewers later said that prayer prompted them to take cover. His spontaneous and heartfelt prayer may have helped save countless lives.

Our prayers can make a difference too. They don’t have to be long-winded. They can be short and sweet and can be said at any time of the day. Whether we’re at work, running errands, or on vacation, we can “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

God loves to hear us pray throughout the day. The apostle Paul reminds us that we don’t have to be prisoners of worry or fear but can take all our cares and concerns to God: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Whether we’re enjoying a sunny day or being hit by the literal or figurative storms of life, let’s remember to pause and pray throughout the day.