Without Ceasing

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

This scripture at times is challenging. There are times in the moment I pause and say a quick prayer, asking God’s presence and intervention in a situation on my mind. Other times I can spend focused time in prayer that is so refreshing and time flies by. Other times, prayer is the last thing on my mind. I wish prayer was an automatic default not a last resort in those times.

I believe it was Smith Wigglesworth that said “I rarely spend more than 30 minutes in prayer, but I never go more than 30 minutes without praying.” Praying without ceasing takes intentionality. It doesn’t happen by accident. It takes time to develop the habit, and even longer to make a lifestyle of prayer.

Praying without ceasing can look like many things:

• Thanking God for all that he has done. This alone can take all day if you really get specific.
• Giving your day to God. This too can take time when you consider what goes into your day and where you need His power and grace.
• Petitions, we all have people and situations that need God’s intervention, being specific to lift up those takes time and effort.
• Intercession praying and interceding for the needs of specific crisis situations, spiritual warfare against the devil’s dark schemes, praying for the government and leaders, interceding for missionaries, the lost, revival, Israel, churches and leadership.

Praying without ceasing can be seeing a need and responding in prayer. It can be hearing about a tragedy and lifting those affected up to the Lord. It may be feeling the oppression others are under and waging war in the spirit.

Prayer is not an excuse to do nothing. If it is within our power, we should act. God isn’t going to answer when we can offer the solution. He answers when I ask in faith for something bigger than I can see or do in and of myself.

He offers solutions in His wisdom when we don’t see the answer. He sends His angels to do what we can’t. He is just waiting for us to ask. He is always available. Nothing is impossible for Him. He is honored when we ask in faith for specific things that are beyond our ability. We need to start praying more!