PRAYING WITHOUT CEASING

” REJOICE ALWAYS; PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.” 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-17

What does Paul mean when he says to pray without ceasing? Are we to walk around all day long with our hands in the air praying to God? Are we to shut ourselves up in our prayer closet and only come out to eat? Of course this is not what is meant. Paul taught that we should live our lives in a constant attitude of intercession, even when going about our daily routines. We should and we can maintain a natural , ongoing conversation with God. This allows God to be involved in our whole life. I often wondered, as a new born Christian, whether I should pray for the small things in my life like, finding my keys when they were lost, finding my missplaced eyeglasses, or telling him how much I love my life and those he has surrounded me with. The answer is a definite YES! Our Lord God listens to our each and every prayer. He is concerned about our lives, and he invites us to talk with him about anything that troubles us, anything that confuses us, or frightens us. We should go to him with conversation in prayer and praise. It is through these small conversations that we begin to learn that God is a merciful and gracious God and that he loves us because we are his children. If we believe he answers our small concerns and needs then it is much easier to believe for the big things.

Only through prayer and a consistant relationship with him can we become aware of his limitless recources. John 14:14 says, ” if you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” He doesn’t say come to me only when you have a BIG problem. He says come to me and ask me anything in my name. Many times we limit our prayer time to just the big things. To be able to really know and understand our Lord we must stay close to him. He is not only our Lord and Savior but he is also our best friend. PRAISE THE LORD ALWAYS!