Never stop praying

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT

Paul’s second admonition from the text is to never stop praying. When a Christian lives out his or her life, it should not be characterized by just busy activities but a life of worship. Without a worshipful attitude, activities will not be honoring to God. Worshipful attitude flows out from a life of constant communication with God. By praying, we continually align our will with the will of God. This is how we express our fellowship with God. In a constant and recurring communication with God, we are able to be in touch with God and this provides us the opportunity to have our lives be an expression of His working. One of the results of being in tune with God is having a joyful attitude. Even when life is pressed with challenges, joy is not strangled for we know that we have Someone to trust and be dependent upon. We have with us God to whom we can constantly communicate with even when our voice is silent. He responds to the desires of our hearts because we have lived our lives in continual dependence upon Him. “He shouts with joy because you give him victory. For you have given him his heart’s desire” (Psalm 21:1-2). Our cheerfulness comes from a heart that trusts the power of God. This is why even when life is surrounded with circumstances, we can still rejoice because we have a constant walk with God shown in our prayer life. Let us in humble submission and dependence, trust our loving Father. He is the Almighty God, supreme over all things, and the purpose of everything. Every time we are strengthened by His presence, we will have the power to endure and the patience we need, having our hearts filled with joy. Let us acknowledge that He alone can provide us wisdom and understanding. “Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better” (Colossians 1:10).

Blessings,