Consistent Prayer

Consistent Prayer (I Thessalonians 5:17)

I Thessalonians 5:17, Pray without ceasing.

“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 Paul meant when he said, “Pray without ceasing.” God's people are to be a praying people. Martin Luther, when pressed by huge volumes of work, did not use it as an excuse to stop praying, but said, 'I have so much to do that I cannot get on without three hours a day of praying.' Adoniram Judson, perhaps the greatest missionary ever sent out from American shores, was emphatic in his insistence upon prayer. I quote his words: "Be resolute in prayer. Make any sacrifice to maintain it. Consider that time is short and that business and company must not be allowed to rob thee of thy God." That was the man who impressed a mighty empire for God.

A group of ministers were discussing I Thessalonians 5:17 one morning, but couldn't agree on its meaning. An elderly cleaning woman, scrubbing on her knees, raised up and expressed an opinion about this verse. She said, "When I go to bed at night, I thank the Lord for the joy of resting in His everlasting arms. When I awaken, I ask Him to open my eyes to behold new things from His Word. When I build the fire, I ask Him to kindle love in my heart. When I bathe, I ask Him to cleanse me from secret faults. When I eat, I thank Him for my food. As I walk to work, I pray to be led in paths of righteousness. As I pass the church, I pray for my pastor. While scrubbing these floors, I ask Him to wash the hearts of those walking above me with His precious blood...” And on she went. She had a pretty good understanding of that verse and knew just as much as those preachers. She knew the importance of consistency in prayer.

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.

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com