16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Prayer is essential, yet rarely used to its powerful potential, especially here in the United States. Why, you might ask? The main reason is we’re spoiled. God has been so very gracious to this nation and its people that we have become so self sufficient, we think we don’t even need God. Lest we forget that without Him we (His Children) can do nothing without Him.
But look at the last phrase of today’s verse, to never stop praying is God’s will for us who are in Christ Jesus. This is not mission impossible when we “walk with the Lord”. Contrary to popular belief, praying is not only when we’re on our knees, head bowed, eyes shut and hands folded. It’s a position of our hearts, one that is always ready to declare a Scripture over a situation, or a blessing over someone who needs one, a cry for help in a crisis situation. As well as words of joy when looking at a sunset, the awe of God as we look into a starlit sky or a quiet “thank you Lord” as we lay our heads down on our pillows.
Notice prayer is like the delicious cream in an Oreo when we pray without ceasing, it we will be able to hold joy and thankfulness in all things. For prayer doesn’t only change things around us, in changes us and we become more like Jesus.
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