“Pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances…”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:17
This month you are being inspired to spring into a healthy lifestyle. The first week offered suggestions for a healthier physical lifestyle, the balance of this month has been dedicated to developing/ maintaining a healthy spiritual lifestyle. This week’s topic is Prayer.
Prayer is very powerful! Prayer opens the door to the gospel, it protects believers from the enemy, it is a shield against spiritual burnout and Max Lucado refers to prayer as “the secret strength.” Believers are to pray regularly for their own spiritual wellbeing and the spiritual welfare of others. The proper way to pray is to the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus. (See Matthew 6:9, Jude 1:20, John 14:13.)
Most adults will admit there is a need to personally invest more time and energy in the spiritual discipline of prayer. There is probably no teaching in Scripture that is more useful and to the point for believers and the growth of Christianity than that on prayer. It has often been said that when we work, we work but when we pray, God works. As believers actively engage in sincere prayer that is steadfast and devoted, they will see God working in mighty ways. Because of prayer’s importance in the spiritual life of believers, this week you will be encouraged to develop/maintain an active and consistent prayer life. Next week, I will conclude this series noting that active and consistent prayer is a key to spiritual growth.
Pray continually
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, in Paul’s final group of exhortations to the Thessalonian believers that began in Chapter 4, he addressed the saints’ personal individual lives before God. Paul writes that believers are to “pray continually.” This is not prayer that is done without interruptions; that would be unviable. It is to be understood that whenever believers have the opportunity to pray they must pray. The Greek word for continuous is “adialeiptōs.” Paul’s objective was to have the Thessalonica Christians continue in fellowship with God through prayer as much as they possibly could. How? By praying in our hearts. We can offer a prayer in our hearts even while engaged in other matters (such as work, school, cooking, exercising, doing chores, etc.) Therefore, believers can pray at all times, in times of distress, trials, discouragement, times when they feel abandoned, helpless, uncertain; as well as during times of thanksgiving. (See Ephesians 6:18.) While there will be times when prayer is not answered immediately, nevertheless the believer is encouraged to offer up prayer continually as the believer waits on God to answer the prayer according to God’s perfect will and perfect timing.
Beloved, let me suggest that after each time of prayer, pause and listen for God to speak to you through the Holy Spirit. God still speaks to His people today. God speaks through God’s Word (Isaiah 55:11) as well as through events, thoughts and impressions. If anyone claims God has spoken to him/her, always compare what is said with what the Bible says. When God speaks, God’s words will always be in full agreement with what God has said in the Bible (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17.) Springing into a healthier spiritual lifestyle must include prayer. Fortify, deepen and strengthen your prayer life by praying continually, giving God thanks in all circumstances!
Next Week: Spring Into A Healthy Spiritual Lifestyle (Conclusion)
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