(NO VIDEO TODAY)
1 Thes. 5:17
Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];
Quitting is not an option, not when it comes to prayer. It doesn't matter how lousy you feel like you have performed when it comes to consistency in your prayer life. I believe that it's very important to go ahead and rule out giving up because there is no future in quitting. When it comes to prayer, we must persevere through the battles of our flesh, even when it feels like we aren't winning that battle. I would rather try to pray more and miss the mark, than to settle for the defeated life that comes from a nonexistent life of prayer. Another reason that some decide to quit is because they aren't able to pray the way that they think they should. They picture themselves praying eloquently and decisively, with angels hovering all around applauding their ability to pour out their heart to God. When instead their prayers fall well below the exaggerated expectations that they place on themselves, they feel inept and wonder if it's for them at all. I must admit that sometimes my prayers miss the expectations that I have. Sometimes I struggle to find the words, struggle to stay focused, even struggle to stay awake! But looking back, I've never spent time before the Lord, and regretted it. Sometimes my four year old daughter will spend five minutes trying to say one sentence correctly, especially if she is really excited or really scared. It doesn't change how I receive her message, she has my attention as long as she needs it. Our heavenly Father isn't grading our prayers, He is in love with us, and cherishes the time that we spend in His presence. The first step to being unceasing in prayer is to be unceasing in trying :)
"Pray without ceasing"...... This verse encourages us to pray without interruption, without intermission. Don't take a break from praying, keep praying. It's not about the way we feel or sound its all about our heart and consistency....
ReplyDeleteI am encouraged this morning by these words. It is overwhelming that the God of this universe desires fellowship with me. Often I am speechless before Him-the words will not come! Thank You Precious Holy Spirit for making utterances for me.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to add to my comment from earlier. The more I thought about praying without intermission or interruption the more I realized what that meant. In life we take breaks.... On our jobs, in between our activities, during athletic events and so on. We do so to refuel and refresh our physical bodies, and to rest. Well, we don't break from prayer because that's where our spiritual rest, refreshment and nourishment comes from. So let us not grow weary in prayer but be persistent.
ReplyDeleteI also have to confess that I have fallen short on many occasions while praying. I have been so disappointed in myself for the way I have treated the time I spend with our Heavenly Father. But He is so loving and gentle with me as He comes to me despite of the disrespect. Jesus said that he would never leave us or forsake us even when we forsake Him with the lack of a consistent prayer life. What a awesome Father is He that never gives up on us. He will NEVER stop pursuing us, NEVER stop reaching for us with gentle arms of love! Let us take hold of the reality of the love of God that compels our heart to pray without ceasing!
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