I Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
Do you think Paul is saying we're to pray every minute of every day? This verse isn't meant literally...we do have to sleep at some point. God designed our bodies to need sleep...so it is impossible to pray every minute of every day. There is a message that God wants Paul to get across to the church of Thessalonica.
We are to be in a constant attitude of prayer. That means to be ready to pray at any point you feel the need. Just because we pray throughout the day does not mean we are to forsake the time of closet prayer. Matthew 6:6 "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Mark 1:35 "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." We need that quiet and personal time with God in prayer.
But just as we need that personal quiet time alone with God...we need to be ready to pray at any time. Bod will bring people to your mind to pray for at any time. I've been prompted while I'm doing dishes...or while I'm doing laundry. I've been prompted while I was teaching school to my children to pray for people or needs. I've been awaken in the middle of the night to pray for someone.
These things are less likely to happen if we don't keep our hearts ready to pray. Someone may call you that God wants you to pray for and with. If a person's heart is not in an attitude of prayer at all times you will miss opportunities to be of help to others.
So I guess you could say that we do need to do as the Scripture says..."pray without ceasing." Never cease to be ready to pray when the opportunity arises.
18 comments:
Yes, I think that we should be in a constant communication with God so that each time we have a traffic jam we immediately ask God to direct us around it...
or when we have a confrontation with someone we immediately ask God to help us to say the correct thing...
when we are trying to meet a deadline.. we immediately ask God to slow our thoughts and calm us down in order to be able to accomplish what is needed to be done..
and when the opportunity presents itself to witness to someone.. we immediately step up and ask God to provide us with the right words to say
that to me is to pray without ceasing...:-)
HI Julie,
This was such a beautiful little post! I like to have my prayer and devotion time everyday as well as pray all day long as Im going about my day even when Im cleaning, Im praying about something or someone. Its nice to be able to talk to God all day long. What a friend we have Him!
Candy :)
Hi Sis Julie,
I just love the song on your blog right now. It has always meant a great deal to me. I appreciate the reminder of it :-)
Also, your site is just so challenging and encouraging at the same time. I wish I had even more time to delve into the scriptures with you and study them.
Your a true encouragement and such a godly lady. Just wanted you to know I appreciate you.
Love,
Lula
Thank you for that beautiful reminder sister!
Bless you!!
sis. mimi...amen!! You are so right.
sis. candy....That is great!! And yes we do have a friend in Him. And no better friend at that!!
sis. lula...thank you so much for leaving a comment. I appreciate your sweet words too. I'm really nothing but by the grace of God. I do praise God that I am not what I once was. Love you Sis!!
sis. amy...Bless you as well!! Thank you for coming by once more.
I have been using my walking time for extra prayer time! Its wonderful!
sis. pam....when I was walking I would use it as added prayer time as well. Unfortunately I don't do any walking for exercise anymore. I know I should...but I just am not one to do any kind of exercise alone and no one wants to walk with me. But I do pray as I do other things.
Give me a stout heart to bear my own burdens. Give me a willing heart to bear the burdens of others. Give me a believing heart to cast all burdens upon Thee, O Lord. ... John Baillie (1886-1960)
sis. cristina....Amen!!
Ms. Julie,
Thanks for this study. I have also thought this verse also meant that we should make sure our hearts are always in a state so that our prayers are not hindered, and we can pray anytime anywhere.
My Dad has always said as Christian's we should keep short accounts of our sins by confessing them right then and there, and not letting them grow in us. By doing that when a person pops into our minds to pray for we have OUR hearts ready to be able to approach the thrown of grace with our petitions.
Thanks for this study
~Amy
sis. amy...I too have always heard to make sure I keep my sins confessed for this same reason. It is something that each of us should remember.
Thank you, Sis Julie, for your posts on prayer and fasting. They have been very helpful reminders!
sis. pamela....I'm thankful the Lord used them for you. Thank you for letting me know.
I have the scripture written and hanging up....to me it is about taking every thought to the Throne of God...I know I have a long way to go....but it is a sweet communication of seeking the Lord for everything...and thanking HIM for everything...a huge goal for me...and your reminder...perfect.
Deby
sis. deby....It is most certainly sweet communion. I love that time I can get alone with God and fellowship with Him. It is the high point of my day!!
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