Without Ceasing

Pray without ceasing. I Thessalonians 5:17 Throughout His Word, prayer is to be a central and essential part of a believer's life. Jesus commanded His followers to pray. Paul exhorted the early church to pray, without ceasing and at all times. Throughout His Word we are pointed to the truth concerning the power of prayer and the infinite power of the One we pray to. With all this being so true, why is it that the average believer, even the average pastor does so little of it? There are more answers to this question than I can even begin to name, but something I heard Charles Swindoll say sheds a great deal of light on answering this question Swindoll was relating what his life had been like in the past year. He said it was by far the most difficult year he'd ever experienced. In it, he came to understand more deeply than ever the wonder and power of prayer. There were other things he discovered as well. He said that prayer reminded him that everything concerning his life was in the Father's hands and not his own. In prayer, he learned the power of surrender. He also learned this; though we are commanded to pray at all times and to trust God with how He responds to our prayers, Swindoll said that his prayers didn't necessarily change what his feelings and emotions were saying, or lift the spirit of heaviness he carried. I think this truth is a great part of the answer to why we give up, at least in part, on prayer. We want instant change, but God is at work in us for the long haul. Shaping us for eternity. The power of prayer is not just found in what He does for us, but even more, by what He does in us. This is why we're to pray without ceasing. The spiritual discipline of prayer is shaping us for eternity. This is seen in the lives of David, Paul, Peter, and so many more. It needs to be seen in your life and mine as well. He will often bring us a comfort and sense of well being in our prayers, but that is not a guarantee. The key is not how we feel as we pray but in who we trust. That's what Swindoll was saying. The heaviness and burden may still be there, but there is also a growing sense and assurance that everything, regardless of how we feel, is in His hands and not ours. This transcends our feelings and emotions and produces a life within that will stand firm against all the onslaughts of this world and hell itself. Wherever you are today, pray without ceasing. Believe that it is all in His hands and not yours, because that is the truth. In His Word He said, "I am doing a work that you wouldn't believe even if I told you." This is what is taking place as we pray. Press on. Fight on. On your knees. Satan flees from the one who lives on their knees. He is working, and for your good and mine. Prayer is a mighty weapon. Wield it boldly. Blessings, Pastor O