"Rejoice Always, Pray Without Ceasing"

 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)

God spoke to Abraham, Moses, the prophets, and others. Before Christ, the Spirit of God dwelt with His creation in the Tabernacle and the Temple. Then God came to earth in the flesh, in the incarnation. God not only dwelt with, but shook hands, hugged, and ate with His creation. That is a pretty amazing fact.

The fact that God left heaven, came to earth in human form, and surrendered His life as a propitiation, only to rise again to save those whom He loved so much, and to glorify the Father, is literally outrageous, but it is true. Over 400 people saw the risen Christ over a 40-day period after His resurrection, and before His ascension.

So now, how does God communicate with His people? He does this through the power of prayer. Our whole life should be based on prayer. Prayer is our connection to God, our communion with the Spirit who lives in us. For most of us, we often lack time for prayer. A “quick” prayer before meals, and a routine prayer before bed, and we are okay with that, but is God?

Is it not written in scripture that God knows what we need before we need it? (Matthew 6:8). Yes, it is,but prayers should not only be about what one wants or needs. Our prayer life is about glorifying God. It is about recognizing God’s blessings and giving thanks to Him for them. It is about recognizing His power, majesty, and divine sovereignty. It is about placing God on a pedestal where He belongs, at the center of our lives.

Yes, it is also about repentance. Asking forgiveness for our transgressions and the transgressions of others. We pray for God to strengthen us and others against their temptations, and ours. We pray for the welfare of others. There are many things we pray for, but have you ever just talked to God? Have you ever just talked to Him as if He were a friend or a brother sitting next to you?

Being alone with God is an essential part of every Christians life. It is important for our living relationship with God, just as reading the Word of God is to our understanding of His will and our purpose in creation.

But, “I am busy, I have work, the kids, ministry, church functions, a wife or a husband,” and so on. Yes, we have these distractions in our lives. However, there is always time to speak with God in prayer. We just need to make that time. How can God be at the center of your life if you do not commune with Him? God, as much as many spouses do not want to hear this, God should be first in our lives, first meaning before anything else. For those around us who are not in Christ, this may become tiresome because we do everything in accordance with the word of God and prayer.

Every question we have in our lives can be answered in the Scriptures. My uncle, a wise man, always said this, and it is true. But is your faith really in God? Do you really believe the scriptures, and do you really believe God is alive, that His Spirit lives in you? Do you truly believe that God controls all things?

Isaiah wrote, “that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.” The Lord is sovereign, meaning God is supreme with authority over all things. Paul wrote in Romans,  ^“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (8:28)  God controls all things, and He hears every prayer. Not one word you have spoken to Him or will speak to Him is or will be said in vain. God hears every word you say.

Find greater peace in your life by strengthening your prayer life with God. Christ is your brother; speak to Him regularly. God answers questions, guides us, or comforts us. Come to know Him better. Make prayer a daily habit, not just at meals, but throughout the day, every day. He will not get tired of hearing from you, and you just might hear more from Him.

Grace and Peace.