Pray Without Ceasing Possible?
Is it possible to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks?
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 says "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
There is great power through prayer and we make a difference by bringing people to the Lord knowing prayer changes things! Many agree we are in perilous times and it can bring about worry, fear, anxiety, and depression. Anxiety is a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, and fear. It is often accompanied by physical sensations such as palpitations, nausea, chest pain, and/or shortness of breath. Proverbs 12:25 reminds us, "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad."
It is possible to train our hearts and minds to pray like an athlete determined to win a race. Training ourselves to pray morning, noon and night is critical to face the difficulties of daily life.
Daniel in the Lions' Den from the book of Daniel is a true story and example of one who "prayed three times a day, giving thanks to his God."
King Darius decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province. He chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king's interest. Daniel proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of his great ability, the king made plans to place Daniel over the entire empire. Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn't find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. So they concluded, "Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion." So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King Darius! We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” So King Darius signed the law. But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.
He did not wavier, but set a discipline about himself to be in prayer to "Almighty God" morning, noon and night! God heard his "prayers" and shut the lions' mouths.
"Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions' den. When he got there, he called out in anguish, "Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?" Daniel answered, "Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty."
Daniel knew who to turn in times of trouble and thanksgiving. Let us be a Daniel and train ourselves to pray morning, noon and night. I want to share a very practical way I use to pray for family, friends and even my enemies as God has called us to do.
Mondays, I pray for my husband's family.
Tuesdays, I pray for my immediate family.
Wednesdays, I pray for our personal friends.
Thursdays, I pray for America and the leadership across the nation.
Fridays, I pray for world missions, our ministry, U-Turn Christ, Samaritan's Purse and Harvest Crusade
Saturday, I pray for our church-Calvary Chapel, Romoland, churches in our area
Sundays, I pray for the persecuted churches around the world and our enemies.
Jesus said, "But I say to you, love you enemies, bless those who curse you, and do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you, and persecute you." Matthew 5:44
I encourage you to "rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks," so you, too can see the hand of God move in your life, your families and friends lives, and even in your enemies. God will empower you through His Holy Spirit to touch the world for Him through prayer!
