1 Timothy 5:5 NKJV
Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
As Paul addressed the issue of who qualified for financial assistance from the church he talked about the care of widows. He told Timothy that widows who had relatives who could assist them should be cared for by them. For those who did not have relatives who could help he asked that those receiving assistance from the church be widows who were living a godly lifestyle – continuing in prayer all the time. A widow who no longer has the responsibility of caring for a husband should have more time to pray. That is also an example to any single person or even a married person whose husband is away on business or in the military. It applies to a mother whose children have all moved out of the nest. Anytime our domestic responsibilities are lessened, instead of pursuing pleasure or moping about our condition, we should recognize the state of our world and the church and use the extra time we have to pray. We can pray alone or with a prayer group. We can find others who need to be encouraged and pray with them in person or by phone. A songwriter said, “If we ever needed the Lord before we sure do need Him now.” Whenever we have a chance we should pray – throughout the day as well as in our devotional time. Let us pray.