Pray without ceasing!

(1Thessolonians 5:17)  “Pray without ceasing.”

The ability and liberty in ones prayer life is a good indicator on where we stand before our Holy Father, if we have something to hide we will not have a liberty to express ourselves openly before Him. Obviously we can hide nothing from God and it is imprudent to even try. And yet I find myself having to constantly guard against the deceitfulness of my own heart in this area of my life, forgive me Father God.

Communication is the greatest tool in our arsenal, we have received the ability to converse openly with our heavenly Father; by His grace we must learn to use it wisely; to be open face before God our heavenly Father is our only option, do not be deceived into believing that all is well when in fact it is not. If our agenda’s do not coincide with God’s will then we walk as carnal men, and we will never please God. But open honest prayer life is a good indicator to help us understand where we stand spiritually; in other words how we have matured as Christians can be measured by the liberty we have to pray openly before God. If we have nothing to say, we either walk carnally by not giving God much thought throughout the day, or we live in habitual sin and it is a hindrance to our prayer life. We turn a blind eye to that which does not please God our Father.

When Paul says, “pray without ceasing”; that in itself is our own barometer, an ongoing check, that we walk in the spirit and not in the flesh; stop praying and we are inviting the old man to once again live in our lives. I like Samuels response in this portion of scripture, look how he ties ceasing to pray in with sin; “And Samuel said to the people, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself. Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king." (1Samuel 12:20-25)

 “Pray without ceasing,” 1Th_5:17. “Note, The way to rejoice evermore is to pray without ceasing. We should rejoice more if we prayed more. We should keep up stated times for prayer, and continue instant in prayer. We should pray always, and not faint: pray without weariness, and continue in prayer, till we come to that world where prayer shall be swallowed up in praise. The meaning is not that men should do nothing but pray, but that nothing else we do should hinder prayer in its proper season. Prayer will help forward and not hinder all other lawful business, and every good work. 3. In every thing give thanks, 1Th_5:18. If we pray without ceasing, we shall not want matter for thanksgiving in every thing. As we must in every thing make our requests known to God by supplications, so we must not omit thanksgiving, Phi_4:6. We should be thankful in every condition, even in adversity as well as prosperity. It is never so bad with us but it might be worse. If we have ever so much occasion to make our humble complaints to God, we never can have any reason to complain of God, and have always much reason to praise and give thanks: the apostle says, This is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us, that we give thanks, seeing God is reconciled to us in Christ Jesus; in him, through him, and for his sake, he allows us to rejoice evermore, and appoints us in every thing to give thanks. It is pleasing to God. 4. Quench not the Spirit (1Th_5:19), for it is this Spirit of grace and supplication that helpeth our infirmities, that assisteth us in our prayers and thanksgivings. Christians are said to be baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. He worketh as fire, by enlightening, enlivening, and purifying the souls of men. We must be careful not to quench this holy fire. As fire is put out by withdrawing fuel, so we quench the Spirit if we do not stir up our spirits, and all that is within us, to comply with the motions of the good Spirit; and as fire is quenched by pouring water, or putting a great quantity of dirt upon it, so we must be careful not to quench the Holy Spirit by indulging carnal lusts and affections, or minding only earthly things.” (Matthew Henry)

May God help all His children view prayer with a greater urgency that the day before, Amen!

Signing off

Tyrone