Pray!

Pray!

Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; 1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMPC

Context and Charge:

In the KJV of the verse above, this is maybe the second shortest verse in the bible, after the one that said Jesus wept. It is a verse that can be defined as a command or an instruction or a piece of advice. In the context of the verse, we see other instructions, such as giving thanks in all circumstances, rejoice at all times, and do not quench the Spirit. Why would God ask us to pray without ceasing? What does it mean to pray, and how can I do it without ceasing. In very simple terms, other words for pray include: invoke, appeal to, implore, beseech, beg, petition or solicit. One thing that is clear is that prayer has a clear need and a clear purpose, as well as an end in view. It means that I pray because I have a need, worry, concern or desire for a change. 

I note that prayer involves speaking out, either audibly, or praying in your mind, but there must be clarity in what you desire, and the target of the prayer must be someone you know has the capacity and ability to grant you what you are praying for. It would amount to a waste of time and effort to invest so much time asking favours from someone you know cannot help you. After all, we know that you cannot give what you do not have. Prayer is not the same as mere complaining; if I will pray right, I must know the One who has laid out his CV, saying very clearly to me that with Him, nothing shall be impossible. I simply come to Him in faith that He is the One who can sort out all that worries me. So, do I pray, or do I just merely use words? 

Conviction and Conclusion:

It is not a one-off exercise, or something I do only when there is trouble. If I wait until there is trouble before I pray, it makes it more difficult, not impossible, to hear God clearly. If I have become used to God's leading in the days of calm, days of trouble will not change much. It is not so much about using words 24 hours of the day, but knowing that God is with you 24 hours of the day, and He is ever ready to help. There is nothing too small or too big to take to God; if I know Him and his power, I know that He can take care of anything I trust him enough to hand over to Him. Like Paul, I know whom I have believed, and I know whatever I commit to Him is safe. It is not about God giving me all I ask for, but about loving God enough to give him my whole life, no matter what happens along the way. God's time of favour is here.