Praying Without Ceasing

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.  Rejoice evermore.  Pray without ceasing.  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  -I Thessalonians 5:15-18 (KJV) 

Are you like me, in that when you are alone you sometimes will talk to yourself out loud?  Perhaps this is how we sometimes work through problems and vent our frustrations.  I’m no psychiatrist, but a little talking to ourselves is probably not a cause for alarm.  Consider, however, how much better off we would be if anytime we realized we were talking to ourselves we stopped and began speaking to the Lord in prayer.  Try this the next time you are going through a problem or feeling stressed.  Don’t waste a lot of valuable energy venting to no one, but instead tell it to the Lord.  God is able to handle any problem we place at His feet.  In fact, He has told us in His Word to do just that. 

Paul the Apostle gives us an insight into our attitude toward prayer: “Pray without ceasing.”  The idea is that even when we are not in a quiet, reflective, and dedicated time of prayer we are still going through the day in an attitude of prayer.  We can then be open to God’s will, sensitive to the movement of the Holy Spirit, and willing to adopt a Christ-like stance in the face of daily challenges.  Praying without ceasing will involves serious and concentrated daily prayer, but even when that sacred time is concluded we walk forward in that humble and Holy Spirit led attitude.   

When we are going about in an attitude of prayer we are better equipped to live out the teachings of God’s Word.  The Lord has a unique and individual plan for each of us, and that plan is revealed day-by-day as we walk with the Lord and seek the guidance of His Spirit.  Within that plan there are also common characteristics of the Christian life which we all are called to seek: practicing humility and forgiveness, loving one another, reaching out in Jesus’ name, and staying in the Word of God. 

Are you confused these days about God’s will for your life?  If so, begin by doing exactly what that the Lord has told us to do.  Pray, love one another, take on the attitudes of Jesus, and hide God’s Word in your heart.  The rest will begin to take shape and make sense.  God is faithful and He will make His will known.  Keep trusting in Him.