Pray Without Ceasing???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #270

“Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus

concerning you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

I would like to take a few minutes this morning to consider our call to pray!  Not just a passing thought to ask God to bless our day or forgive us….; but a mindset of seeking God’s will in all things, a mindset of intercession, a mindset of humble petition on behalf of others!  Jesus gave us our direction for prayer—and it has to start with looking upward not around.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father

which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day

our daily bread.

12 And forgive us

our debts,

as we forgive

our debtors…”. Matthew 6:9-12

While this is just a portion of the model prayer, I want us to consider a few things that stand out and hopefully will spark us onward and upward in our commitment to “Pray without ceasing”.  First and foremost is the call to lift our prayers upward to “Our Father”; notice Jesus didn’t say “my” but “our” father!  I am never to pray as a spoiled child—thinking that I am the only one that matters!  We are called to pray in consideration of the family of God’s children—all those who are born again by the “blood of the Lamb”!  Notice the pronouns used here—our, us, our, us, we, our; Jesus is reminding us that we aren’t the lone ranger, but He is reminding us that we are part of His sheep!

This first consideration of looking upward is to remind us that we are praying not only to “our” father, but He is our Heavenly Father, and His name is to be revered, honored, and bowed before as we pray pursuing Him:

“Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven”!

Our pursuits in prayer are to ever be focused on our God—His kingdom—His will here on earth (and while I won’t dig into it today, if you want to see what God’s will looks like in heaven, take some time and read and consider Revelation 4 & 5!). This mindset of God being our heavenly slot machine, put in your prayer quarter and pull the handle of God’s/Jesus’ name and the jackpot will fall, is a total misunderstanding of God and prayer.  Prayer is communion with God; seeking to know Him better, to pursue His will not mine; seeking to lead others in His ways not mine; seeking to bring Him glory as we bring others to see the truth of God’s Word and His blood bought salvation through Jesus!

It’s so easy to get distracted by all the needs around us and think it’s impossible to pray well; but when we listen to the precious Holy Spirit directing us, we will find power, hope and reassurance to press on in the right direction with Jesus.

“And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying,

This is the way,

walk ye in it,

when ye turn to the right hand,

and when ye turn to the left.”  Isaiah 30:21

We have the precious gift from Jesus of His indwelling Holy Spirit who will lead us when we learn to seek God’s face and dig into His Word.  Jesus promised to provide all we need—most of all by the gift of His Holy Spirit to dwell within us and guide us into all truth.  Are you pursuing Jesus?  His truth?

“And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not,

neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you,

and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless:

I will come to you.”  John 14:16-18

“But when the Comforter is come,

whom I will send unto you

from the Father,

even the Spirit of truth,

which proceedeth

from the Father,

he shall testify of me:

27 And ye also shall bear witness,

because ye have been with me

from the beginning.”  John 15:26-27

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth;

It is expedient for you that I go away:

for if I go not away,

the Comforter will not come unto you;

but if I depart,

I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come,

he will reprove the world

of sin,

and of righteousness,

and of judgment:

9 Of sin,

because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness,

because I go to my Father,

and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment,

because the prince of this world

is judged…

….13 Howbeit when he,

the Spirit of truth, is come,

he will guide you into all truth:

for he shall not speak of himself;

but whatsoever he shall hear,

that shall he speak:

and he will shew you things to come.

14 He shall glorify me:

for he shall receive of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.

15 All things that the Father hath are mine:

therefore said I,

that he shall take of mine,

and shall shew it unto you.”  John 16:7-15

 The choice is yours, but choose wisely, there is a test.  Will you be found faithfully praying for God’s kingdom and God’s will?  Will you be found faithfully praying “without ceasing”!  Not going around with your head bowed and your eyes closed all the time; but with a heart set on Jesus and listening for His direction as you go about being salt and light in this world of darkness.  There are so many needs in so many places and crises all around us, and we can make a difference as we heed the call and direction of our Lord and Master, Jesus!  May you find the power of that continual spirit of prayer ever working in your heart, life and ministry!  And as you pray while you drive, please don’t close your eyes!!!

Amen and Amen!!!