“PRAY WITHOUT CEASING”… 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I use busyness as an excuse not to spend even five minutes with You. I often say I’ll do it later, but later comes and goes without me taking that time.
I know I need God every day and in everything, so He is the first priority in my day. I don’t want to wait until trouble comes, as I don’t know when it might sneak up on me. I also don’t want to wait until later to thank the Lord for His continuous transformation and renewal in my life. I want to surrender my day and give Him my heart because He supplies all my needs. I receive His grace and new mercies every day, and I don’t want to wait another minute to invoke His armour over me, remembering that He has protected me all my life.
Reflecting on my past, I know that His protection and love are why I am here today for such a time as this. I don’t want to delay greeting Him every morning; I have joy knowing He watched over me through the night. He is the breath in my lungs and the beating of my heart. God does not neglect to provide, protect, and watch over me.
How amazing it is to know that I am not the only one He is watching over—He cares for everyone, everywhere, every day and every night. God is busy, but He cares without ceasing, and God is never too busy for us; we should never be too busy for Him. God understands that we have responsibilities; He doesn’t want us to sit idle. I do get busy, but I know I need more of Him. I want to accomplish what needs to be done while praying and giving thanks.
What does it mean to pray without ceasing? I’ve read that praying without ceasing is more about our heart attitude than the hours spent in prayer. God is constant; He is always with and within us, and we can instantly turn to Him. Praying without ceasing can be as simple as calling the name of Jesus or having a quick conversation with Him in the middle of our busy days. We can keep the lines of communication open with just a few words and moments. It involves surrendering and trusting Him, knowing we should include Him in everything. Praying without ceasing should come naturally to us.
I am reminded of a few “prayer warriors” from the past. Nehemiah was a man of prayer who was busy rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and preserving the Jewish identity. He had significant responsibilities but did not hesitate to call out to God immediately when trouble arose. He trusted that God would be there. As a great and positive leader, he encouraged others by reminding them that God was the One leading the way. Nehemiah 2:20 says, “The God of heaven will prosper us, and we, His servants, will arise and build…” Nehemiah prayed without ceasing!
King David was another busy ruler who faced many battles during his reign. God was always in his thoughts. He was described as a man after God’s own heart. He frequently praised and called out to Him in the Psalms for many reasons. David even exposed himself while dancing for the Lord. In Psalm 16:8, he states, “I have set the LORD always before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” David knew God was always with and around him (Psalm 139). He prayed without ceasing!
In captivity, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood firm in their beliefs, not yielding to the king’s demands. They trusted God wholeheartedly. Daniel told his companions to seek mercy from God (Daniel 2:18). They knew in their hearts, whether in the lion’s den or the blazing furnace, that God was with them. They did not live in fear, for they knew He was constant. They prayed without ceasing!
Our Lord Jesus Christ, our perfect example, did nothing without the Father (John 5:19). He communicated with Him daily and walked in step with Him, even knowing His future. Jesus openly thanked His Father and called out to Him in times of stress and sadness. He was always in tune with the Father and His will, constantly abiding and praying without ceasing!
None of them limited their time with God.
The Lord tells us that when we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). I don’t want to seek God only in quiet moments; I want to pray, talk, and walk with Him always. In my heart, I know He is with me, and His presence gives me rest (Exodus 33:14). Let’s humbly seek His face always and turn from our sinful ways, as He hears, forgives, and heals us. (2 Chronicles 7:14). Let’s pray without ceasing.
I pray that we are continually aware of God’s presence in every waking moment and that we know, without a doubt, that He is involved in every situation, thought, and feeling. May we be grateful for His strength, provision, protection, and guidance throughout our busyness and rest. I pray that we will constantly depend on Him, asking in Jesus’s name for the things we need or desire. May we continuously rely on and trust our Father as we speak from our hearts and pray without ceasing. Amen.
