Pray without ceasing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
An aged woman in Sierra Leone, Africa, told a team of missionaries that she prayed 40 years for them to come to Compound Village, where she lived, and build a church there for Jesus. The answer to her prayers was at last realized, and the first-ever Christian church in a village with over 3,000 people was built. She had been in faithful and consistent prayer.
The fifth chapter of 1 Thessalonians has some extremely important mandates for you. “Pray without ceasing,” it says in today’s verse. Just before it reads, “Rejoice always” (v. 16). Then verse 18 states, “In everything give thanks.” These three keys unlock the door of prayer that delights God and lifts your soul. In prayer, you reinforce your dependence upon God for everything, which removes burdens from your life. In rejoicing, you offer a song from your heart that the Lord hears, and this draws you closer to Him. As you give thanks in all circumstances, you acknowledge how He provides His lovingkindness to you from the outset of your morning and how faithful He is all through the day, deepening your joy and peace in Him. In addition to your scheduled quiet times, be spontaneous in your prayer. Let your communication with God be constant.
Intercede for others to commit to praying in the year ahead. Pray especially for those men and women of faith who sit in the halls of government, that they would constantly seek God as they serve in public office.
Today’s Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:17
17 pray without ceasing,
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-25
14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
25 Brothers, pray for us.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
