Taking a Look at Prayer 2

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ^NIV

            Because the topic is prayer, I would like to focus on the phrase “pray without ceasing”. Now I’d like to clarify that phrase if I may. I think it should be fairly obvious that we are not being told to pray continuously to the exclusion of all else. It means to never stop praying. God never takes time off, so by following his example, we are not to cease praying when things are going well for us. We are to pray in bad times and praise in good times. We are to pray for others and not just ourselves. 

            Prayer is a powerful weapon in our arsenal. God is multi-dimensional … ever-present, able to move and flow allowing him to know all things that can be known. Therefore, he knows what we will ask prior to our asking and has the ability to answer when the time is best and most advantageous for us. 

            I think praying without ceasing means that there is no situation that we cannot pray about. We should never be hesitant to seek God regarding anything. Look at the two phrases that act as the bread to the prayer sandwich … “rejoice always” & “give thanks in all circumstances”. We are not to rejoice & give thanks only when things are going well for us. We are to rejoice & give thanks in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, which implies that we will go thru times of trouble. Let’s face it, we can always find something to praise the Lord about; for the air we breathe, the food we eat, for life itself. 

            We must have confidence that our prayers are heard as they are spoken and not forgotten. Since it is impractical to think we can pray at all times, I believe we can most wholeheartedly be in a prayerful attitude, being ready at a moment’s notice to lift something or someone up to his throne of grace. So remember, pray for any and all things according to God’s specific will for your life. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries