Notes of Faith September 23, 2024
Recurring Prayer
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
One of the shortest verses in the Bible is a mystery to some people: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). One rule for Bible study is comparing Scripture with Scripture, and here in 1 Thessalonians we have several clues as to how we can pray without ceasing. In chapter 1 Paul said, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith” (verses 2-3).
Notice the word “always”—We give thanks to God always for you. Then notice how Paul said he was remembering without ceasing your work of faith. In 1 Thessalonians 2:13, he said, “We also thank God without ceasing.”
Paul obviously had other prayers and thanksgivings he offered and other things he remembered. He was telling them they were constantly coming up in his thoughts and prayers.
Praying without ceasing is something we do constantly, not necessarily continuously. In other words, prayer should be constantly recurring. This requires an attitude of diligence and trust. It also helps to have some regular habits of prayer. Perhaps you can devise some triggers and prompts that will remind you to pray at certain moments. Heaven-bound believers never say a final prayer. Our fellowship with God is eternal.
Prayer often avails where everything else fails.
R. A. Torrey
1 Thess 5:12-22
12 But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13 and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances. 21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.
The Scriptures give us many examples and opportunities to pray. Our everyday circumstances provide many more. The love of God and others could keep us in prayer all day long… But all too often we pray as a last resort instead of taking things to God and seeking His wisdom and counsel. He will always lead us in the right direction and choice. And…if we love God and love others, we won’t be so tied up thinking about ourselves as the priority. God first, others second, and we will be secure in faith and action through doing those two!
Pastor Dale