WEEKLY DEVOTIONS: PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, BE JOYFUL, BE THANKFUL AND BE CARING FOR ONE ANOTHER.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; The Bible says, "Always be joyful. Keep on praying. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to
Christ Jesus."
In 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15; Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and everyone else.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:19-25; Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil.
Then in Paul’s final greetings he says; now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God, who calls you, is faithful; he will do this. Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
Prayer is that unique and privileged contact that brings you straight to God the Father through His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit intercedes for us.
In Romans 8:26-27; And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don’t even know what we should pray for, nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
As a believer you are not left on your own. When you don’t know what to say and don’t have the right words, the Holy Spirit prays with and for you, and God answers.
Prayer is like a special spiritual food that keeps our mind and spirit nourished and functioning properly. It gives holiness to our body, the temple of God. Remember, you can pray anywhere and at anytime; whether in the shower, shaving, eating, washing dishes, at work, at a sporting event, in school, digging a hole, in prison, in a hospital bed or if you’re sick. We can pray for ourselves, for our family and friends, for world events, for people you don’t know, for those who hate you and hurt you, and for your loved ones. Jesus is always there and listens. Are you there and listening to Him? Prayer is not only a one way directional with a long list of demands but it is a special time to be enjoyed in the company of God; where we also listen to him by the events happening in our lives, by quiet times with Him alone, by reading our Bible, enrolling in a Christian conference, event or Bible study group or listening to a Christian radio station or listening to beautiful Christian music. There are many ways and places to pray to the Lord. Enjoy them and see how your prayers will be answered. Constant prayer time will give you an inner peace. Otherwise you would never know what God wants to give you. Examine your prayer life today, try it and see what happens, it will change your life.
