“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus,” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
I’m just about ready to move off of the “grumbling” topic for write31days and move on to others. But since I mentioned this verse in Day 1, it seems appropriate for now.
Pray without ceasing (NASB).
Pray continually (NIV).
Never stop praying (NLT).
Pray constantly (HCSB).
I think the easiest way to think of “praying without ceasing” is simply to view it as an ongoing dialog with the Lord throughout the day. Sometimes people will ask me if I’m talking to myself. If I’m by myself and something is going on, I’m talking to the Lord about it. Often that “talking” is intercession for family and friends. My “prayer time” isn’t just during my quiet time in the early part of the morning. In fact, most of my praying occurs just like this, throughout the day.
I’m reminded of the persistent widow in Luke 18.
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”
Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” (Luke 18:1-8). [Emphasis added.]
I love that Jesus told this story with the specific purpose of teaching His disciples that they should always pray and never give up. This is what God wants us to do with our time–with our minds.
It’s another strategy for overcoming grumbling! Instead of grumbling about situations that have me frustrated, I want to pray through them. Grumbling is unproductive. Prayer is a great way to convert unproductive time to productive time.
Make that time count for eternity and pray WITHOUT ceasing!
Pray WITHOUT ceasing! Another strategy for overcoming grumbling!
![This week in our small group study, I felt the Lord’s gentle chastisement.
We looked at the promise in Luke 11:28, “He [Jesus] replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’”
At first glance, the promise of blessing comes from obedience. But it’s much more.
In the preceding verses, Jesus had cast out a demon that caused a man to be mute. The crowd accused Him of casting out a demon with Satan’s power.
Jesus explained how ridiculous it would be for Satan to drive out his own demons. Then a woman cries out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you,” (v 27).
This is the sticking point. Jesus was in the middle of an important discourse when this woman interrupts Him. He corrects her with this:
✨ Blessed are those who HEAR the word of God and obey it.
That word HEAR means to LISTEN with FULL ATTENTION.
✨ We cannot truly obey God if we don’t know what He’s saying to us.
Basically, Jesus told this woman, and the others in the crowd, “Pay attention!! Don’t get distracted from my voice. I have important things to tell you. You won’t know what they are and what I want you to do, if all you’re thinking about is what you want to say or how you can gain attention. Put your attention on ME.”
It’s never fun to be Jesus’s object lesson.
The questions I’m asking myself …
✨ What keeps me from spending time alone with Jesus?
✨ When I finally get alone with Him, what distracts me?
✨ What keeps me from focusing on God’s Word?
✨ What causes my kind to wander when I’m praying?
➡️ Eliminating distractions …
➡️ Exercising discipline …
… to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5)
… brings true blessing.
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Amen! I love those constant conversations with my Father :). It’s so much easier to do ‘without’ other things when I’m filtering my needs and wants through a conversation with my Father.
I love knowing I’m not the only one talking to myself! While going through cancer treatment with my son I learned to just talk to God throughout the day because I couldn’t really concentrate for a “worship” and I’ve kept that. Pray without ceasing….ove it!
Thanks for this reminder. It is hard to grumble and pray, praise, and trust at the same time.
I used to think something wasn’t officially prayed for until I had done so during my quiet time – but then realized I could bring up anything with my Father all day long. What a blessing!
I think we try to make the Christian Life too difficult. It’s not supposed to be a burden! Christ came to set us free. Praying throughout the day as the Holy Spirit leads is just one way. 🙂
Oh, Robyn … it is … I think this is one of those muscles that takes a long time to make strong.
Yes. I need to keep my focus on Jesus and pray throughout the day. That would probably keep my mouth in check! 🙂
Ah yes – that lovely ongoing conversation that lasts throughout the day and into the night! Love it!
Pray without ceasing = “never say amen!”
Yessss! I love that!!
I love what Brother Lawrence said … Practicing the presence of God. Sounds like you know Bis presence well.
Very good, Anita! He is ALL we need!!