◄ What Does 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Mean? ►

Knowing that the Day of the Lord is fast approaching, and also knowing that our citizenship is reserved for us in heaven by grace through faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ on the Cross, Paul outlines what sort of life a believer should live.

Close to the top of his list of godly instructions on how to live a fruitful Christian life is: "Pray without ceasing;" pray continuously, pray and keep on praying. Prayer is fellowship with the Father and was a vital part of Paul's own Christian walk.

Paul is exhorting all believers who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus to pray constantly, and this call to pray follows his instruction to rejoice always, for the heart that rejoices in the Lord is the one that will keep their eyes fixed on Jesus and their thoughts trained upon their Saviour.

The man or woman who turns often to prayer and maintains a worshipful attitude of prayer towards the Lord, is one who comes boldly to the throne of grace to offer up prayer and praise, supplication and intercessions, petitions and thanksgiving. Prayer demonstrates a humble dependence upon God, for prayer is the breath of the dependent soul that touches the heart of the Father.

The praying man is the one who does not rely on his own strength, but trusts in the Lord with all his heart for all his needs. The man or woman of prayer is one who desires to maintain close and intimate fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Let us live in an attitude of prayer, no matter what activity we are engaged in.

Loving Heavenly Father, I praise and thank You for all Your loving-kindness to me. Thank You that I can come to You in prayer any moment of the day. Help me to come boldly to Your throne of grace, where my prayers are like sweet smelling fragrance to You. Keep me ever humble before Your throne. In Jesus' name, AMEN.