Pray Without Ceasing
We all have prayers we pray about on a regular basis - family, marriage, work, and meals, for example. Then we have prayer requests, like getting a new job, finances, health, a friend or family members faith, our own faith, your church and pastors, or your business success. All of these things, and more, are great and should all be things on your mind as they need. Sometimes, though it can get overwhelming with how much you find yourself wanting to pray about and for. Are you giving enough prayer attention to one thing versus another? By having so many things to pray about are you diluting the intent?
First, make a list, and if it helps, organize it somehow. You will find a way that makes sense to you. But as you pray, pray for God’s will and direction. We may have desires of our earthly heart. But our earthly heart can be easily lead astray by the devil. By praying for wisdom and guidance to know God’s will, your desires will become spiritual desires of your heart, and will be in alignment with God. This comes with spending time with Him.
“He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry for help and saves them.”
Psalms 145:19 CSB
“And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 CSB
Jesus said:
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.”
John 15:7 CSB
“This is the confidence we have before him: If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
1 John 5:14 CSB
The act of prayer can be done anywhere. While you are walking, driving, running, at work, but praying in a place of solitude, where you can focus, is what God desires most. It’s what Jesus did. This is why people have prayer rooms, or places they go for devotion in solitude.
Jesus said:
“But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. ,”
Matthew 6:6 CSB
“Yet he often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.”
Luke 5:16 CSB
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, went out, and made his way to a deserted place; and there he was praying.”
Mark 1:35 CSB
“After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone.”
Matthew 14:23 CSB
“During those days he went out to the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God.”
Luke 6:12 CSB
Sometimes, finding that special time or place can be difficult. Don’t let that stop you from making time with God. He doesn’t demand solitude for you in order to pray. He knows where you are.
“Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.”
Colossians 4:2 CSB
“Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 CSB
Then when you pray, and you know there is something in particular that requires some kind of resolve or answer, be patient. Pray expectantly. But know that, staying in line with His will is important. It is important to pray specifically. He want’s to hear it from you. He knows the desires of your heart even before you speak it, but He wants to hear it from you. This is the part of our relationship with Him where we need to act.
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6 CSB
“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God — who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly — and it will be given to him.”
James 1:5 CSB
…then we wait.
And that is sometimes the hardest part. This is where we learn patience. This is where we learn about God’s timing. His timing is always perfect. It may not seem so to you at the time, but you will see. As everything unfolds, His orchestration plays out and you will witness why His timing was the way it was.
“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it testifies about the end and will not lie. Though it delays, wait for it, since it will certainly come and not be late.”
Habakkuk 2:3 CSB
In closing, in 1 Thessalonians 5:12, Paul gave a great statement on how to be good Christians. But right in the middle, as a single verse, specifically noted, and not to be ignored or missed, verse 17 simply, but powerfully says, “pray constantly,”. As a standalone verse in the bible, that means a lot! Then it goes on to say (18) give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Praying without ceasing isn’t just a fancy phrase we have grown up hearing in our Christian teachings, it’s an actual call from God as Christians, as followers of Jesus Christ.
“Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”
Ephesians 6:18 CSB
Prayer:
Dear Lord in Heaven, guide me and teach me to pray. Show me your will so I may be in alignment with you and so my heart, mind, and soul stay right with you as I pray. Help me to stay focused and not be distracted when I pray. Teach me patience, and show me the reward of your timing with answers to prayers. Show me how to pray specifically. Give me the wisdom and strength to ask for what is truly on my spiritual heart so you can fulfill those desires and help me grow in You, and be a witness for You. I love You and praise You. In Jesus Christ’s Holy name, Amen.