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Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
D.L. MOODY
It was in November or December when those men of Judah arrived at Shushan (Nehemiah 1:1–2), and Nehemiah prayed on until March or April before he spoke to the king. If a blessing doesn’t come tonight, pray harder tomorrow, and if it doesn’t come tomorrow, pray harder, and even then, if it doesn’t come, keep right on, and you will not be disappointed. God in heaven will hear your prayers, and will answer them. He has never failed, if a man has been honest in his petitions and honest in his confessions. Let your faith beget patience. God is never in a hurry, said St. Augustine, because He has all eternity to work.
ERWIN LUTZER
How can we pray without ceasing? It should be a recurring part of our lives, praying even as we are busy. The apostle Paul is talking about a soul continuously open to God. Day by day, we begin by giving ourselves to God, committing ourselves and opening our lives to Him. We walk with a sense of dependence. Because we can’t get through the day without the Lord, we begin it with Him, inviting the Holy Spirit to help us.
Sometimes, when I am asked questions in an interview or asked to decide about some matter, I am inwardly claiming a promise like, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting” (James 1:5–6). Such promises can be in the back of my mind even while I am wrestling through some topic, some trial, or occupied with some task.
Why is it so difficult for us to pray without ceasing? Perhaps it’s because we are out of agreement with God; confession and dealing with sin puts us in agreement with Him. Honestly seeking His will and what He wants for us is essential to be in a continual attitude of prayer. Let me quote it again, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).
PRAYER
Father, help me to pray prayers of dependence and confession regularity.REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What makes prayer difficult for you?
Why is it important that we depend on the Lord through unceasing prayer?