Knowing God's Will Part 2 by Aije Barnes, July 4 Issue 2 Vol 4

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

Pray Without Ceasing

This is another command. Again this does not come easily to everyone. In fact I struggle with this and I'm sure I am not the only one. Even Jesus' disciples struggled with this one on the night Jesus was betrayed. Those great men who had been with Jesus all the time, could not keep their eyes open! Talk less of pray! Three times Jesus had  to wake them up; three times they nodded off to sleep again.  

We experience the same difficulties, that is why the command was given to us. This is because of how vital it is as Christians to pray without ceasing. Our enemy the devil knows this and ensures that there are all sorts of distractions to prevent us from obeying this vital command.  We are a threat to the devil when we pray. When it comes to praying, we sometimes find that our flesh is too weak and this becomes a challenge. 

 

The scripture says:

 

'Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places......

 

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— (‭Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭10-12, 18‬ NKJV).'

The scripture above shows us that there are various ways of praying and making supplications to The Lord (humble prayer or petitions) in the Spirit. All prayers must be in reverence to him. 

 

Praying without ceasing is a practice we would need to discipline ourselves to do. It is a command we are called to obey. Again just like the command to rejoice always, it is not something we tend to do as second nature. But you will find It really is not hard at all to do. It is never hard speaking with someone you love and who you know loves you so much. If you love The Lord, praying is something you are naturally drawn to do as you would long to always be in His presence, communicate with Him and hear Him communicate with you.  We just need to make time and humble ourselves and pray. 

 

The Lord says in 2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ KJV, 'If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. '

 

Praying involves both speaking and listening. Sometimes it involves singing, groaning, crying or laughing in the spirit.  It could also involve mediating on God's word. 

 

Jesus gave this specific command after telling his disciples about all the fearful things that would happen in the last days preceding his second coming:

 

'Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭36‬ KJV)'

So you see the way of escape is through watching and praying. 

 

Look around you and listen to the news. There is so much to pray for and about. 

 

Sometimes we don't know what to pray or how we should pray. This is what the scripture says:  

 

'In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭26-27‬ NIV)'

 

Praying always is having a close relationship with God. It gives you inner strength and builds your faith. The scriptures says:

 

'But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬ KJV)'.

 

It is God's will for us his children,to pray always. It is for our good and it will enable God to do great things in and through us. 

 

So let us get praying and keep praying as The Lord has commanded us.

 

Shalom