3 Responsibilities Concerning the Will of God (I Thessalonians 5:15-18) – Part 2

3 Responsibilities Concerning the Will of God (I Thessalonians 5:15-18) – Part 2

I Thessalonians 5:16-18, Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

2. Our Prayer - Pray without ceasing! (I Thessalonians 5:17)

Mr. Roger Babson, in an after-dinner address, made the following statement: "Prayer is the greatest unused power in the world, and faith is the greatest undiscovered resource." Faith is a grasping of Almighty power; the hand of man laid on the arm of God; when the things impossible to us become the possible, O Lord, through Thee.

Most of us have learned throughout the years that we must schedule a prayer time with God. This is a great practice because if we don’t plan to visit with the Lord, then it will get quickly swept away in the busyness of our day. John Bunyan said, “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day”. I cannot emphasize the importance of prayer enough. It is the means by which we make our supplications known unto the Lord.

“Praying without ceasing” doesn’t mean that one must pray every minute of every day. That would be impractical. It means to be regular, faithful and steadfast in your prayer life. It carries the idea of consistency. We ought to always be in an attitude of prayer and communion with the Lord. We should always be in the mindset of prayer, even if we’re not physically on our knees or mouthing the words. This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, “Pray without ceasing.” God's people are to be a praying people.

I fear that we often reserve prayer for church services, at meal time, or at the close of the day, but we need to be consistent and continual in prayer. Andrew Murray made this observation: “Prayer and life are inseparably connected. Which has the stronger influence over you, prayer for 5 or 10 minutes, or the whole day spent in the desires of the world? Let it not surprise you if your prayers are not answered. Learn this great lesson: my prayer must rule my whole life.”

God gives us insights into getting our prayers answered. May we put these five principles into practice and see the Lord do great things.

1.Be Sanctified – James 5:16, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

2.Be Searching – Jeremiah 29:13, And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

3.Be Sincere – Mark 11:24, Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

4.Be Sorrowful – II Chronicles 7:14, If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

5.Be Submissive – I John 3:22, And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Questions to Consider:

• What choices can I make today that will help me to focus on praying without ceasing?

• On the scale of one to ten, how would you rate yourself on consistent prayer?

Points to Ponder:

• The quickest way to get a church on its feet is to get it on its knees.
• When you come to the end of your rope, tie a prayer knot, and hang on.

Prayer: Father, I praise You that I can at anytime, anywhere, and under any circumstance come to You in prayer. My desire is to keep walking continually with You, so that my prayer may be the natural expression of my life with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This is Part Two of a Three Part Series. Please visit our site tomorrow for Part Three.

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