Slides: Pray Without Ceasing

Pray without ceasing? I can't even get started!

Pray without ceasing? How would I get anything done?

God's Word through Paul

• Pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17)
• In everything by prayer (Philippians 4:6)
• Be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12)
• Continue steadfastly in prayer (Col 4:2)
• Praying at all times in the Spirit (Eph 6:18)

Pray without ceasing

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19)

In everything by prayer

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

Constant in prayer

You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!” ... Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words...Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 8:15,26; 12:12)

Continue steadfastly in prayer

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.(Colossians 4:2).

Praying at all times

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil....praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints (Ephesians 6:10-11, 18).

Why pray without stopping?

• You never stop needing help.
• Prayer brings God's pardon, provision, peace.
• Demons never stop attacking.
• Prayer gets God's intelligence and firepower.
• God never stops being wonderful.
• Prayer seeks, savors, and thanks Jesus.
• The Spirit never stops prompting.
• Join His prayer, or you quench Him.

Walls that block prayer

• You never stop needing help.
• Walls: a. self-reliance  b. unbelief
• Demons never stop attacking.
• Walls: a. cluelessness  b. softness
• God never stops being wonderful.
• Walls: a. worldliness  b. coldness
• The Spirit never stops prompting.
• Walls: a. busyness  b. shallowness

Occasions for prayer

• You never stop needing help.
• Pray every time you want something.
• Demons never stop attacking.
• Pray every time you see evil advancing.
• God never stops being wonderful.
• Praise Him every time you taste joy.
• The Spirit never stops prompting.
• Discuss everything with your Friend.

Charles Hodge's childhood

As far back as I can remember, I had the habit of thanking God for everything I received, and asking him for anything I wanted. If I lost a book, or any of my playthings, I prayed that I might find it. I prayed walking along the streets, in school and out of school, whether playing or studying. It seemed natural. I thought of God as an everywhere-present Being, full of kindness and love, who would not be offended if children talked to him.

Ask, and you will receive.

• Therapy by prayer: Pray for inner change.
• Marriage by prayer: Pray for spouse.
• Parenting by prayer: Pray for kids.
• Work by prayer: Pray for each task.
• Finance by prayer: Pray about money.
• Conflict by prayer: Pray for enemies.
• Politics by prayer: Pray for rulers.
• Church by prayer: Pray for congregation.
• Mission by prayer: Pray for unsaved.
• Waiting by prayer: Pray in line and in traffic.

Give thanks in all circumstances

• Pray with your eyes open: notice each good gift from God and thank Him.
• Pray with your feelings honest: tell God your complaints and thank Him for hearing.
• Pray with your heart warm: practice the presence of God and rejoice always in Him.
• Pray with your mind clear: eternal life is reason to rejoice, even amid troubles.

Thanks as a way of life

"Not in a specified time or selected temple or on certain festivals or days, but during one's entire life, the Christian in every place acknowledges his gratitude for the knowledge of the way to live. We cultivate the fields praising; we sail the seas hymning.” (Clement of Alexandria)

A Praying Life

"If God is sovereign, then he is in control of all the details of my life. If he is loving, then he is going to be shaping the details of my life for my good. If he is all-wise, then he's not going to do everything I want because I don't know what I need. If he is patient, then he is going to take time to do all this.” (Paul Miller, A Praying Life)

Is disciplined prayer at set times useless or even wrong?

• Prayer at set times each day gives regular opportunity for special closeness.
• A prayerful attitude spills over into the rest of the day, and you live more and more with a sense of God's presence.
• Prayer at set times each day is a launching pad toward a growing habit of prayer, until you pray without ceasing.

Pray without ceasing

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19)