Praying without ceasing?!

Praying without ceasing means to have a spirit of dependence on the Lord in all that we do, praying repeatedly and often, and not to give up in prayer life and not losing heart; Luk 18:1. Daniel’s defiant discipline in prayer life should be an encouragement to all of us; “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” Dan 6:10. Daniel kept his appointment with the Lord in a very regular fashion and God was with him.

“Rejoicing evermore and praying without ceasing” 1 Thess 5:16-17; is the foundation of this writing. Praying in the, morning, evening and at noon time, and rejoicing in the Lord because the source of the fruit-bearing life abides in this. The Word of God talks about delighting in the law of the Lord Psa:1; and believers admonishing, encouraging, helping, being patient, not repaying evil for evil, seeking to do good to all, and giving thanks in all circumstances to God, is the fruit bearing life; 1 Thess 5:14-18.

Early morning prayer is important, and Jesus was an example to us, because he rose early even when it was dark and went to pray; Mk 1:35. Staring the day with Bible reading and prayer, will give us the good disposition of our minds to do all things well, depending on the Lord. It is good to plan our meeting with the Lord at least very few focused minutes of stillness and solitude with the memory of few verses nourishing us and encouraging us.

It is important to choose a place where we meet the Lord and plan a method of prayer. George Mueller, was a good example for all of us, and he meditated on God’s Word and turned them to prayer as he went about doing his business of the day. We do not pray as unbelievers ask for the things of the world because God knew already what we need, and He can supply. The most important thing is exalting Christ in our prayer, praying in the Holy Spirit, and asking God to protect our lives, our soul, our faith, body, mind, and spirit in the knowledge and love of Christ; Col 3:16; Eph 5:18.

Centering our prayer on Lord’s prayer and exalting God, is the highest fervors of true devotion, and is utter serious for the fight for joy in God. Fasting is an expression of hunger for God Matt 6:17-18; and the prayer said with the heart expresses the longing to be satisfied in God alone. It is important to awaken a hunger for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all the peoples, and very often with the community of believers our personal prayers are answered by the prayers of others, and God is calling us to corporate prayer as in 2 Cori 1:11. To be a Christian is part of the Body of Christ, and we are called to help each other fight for joy, Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand; 2 Cori 1:24.  

Reference:

Piper, John. When I don’t desire God: How to fight for joy (Wheaton: IL, Crossway Books,2004). 

Why did early Christians pray and how should we pray?

Staying in the valley of darkness is not what God wants for us, and He is willing to help us, and the Word of God commands us to rejoice in Him; Jas 4:9; 2 Cori 7:10. Prayer is offering up of our desires to God, and our hearts are revealed in prayer and our petitions are made known to God. Fighting for joy is worshipful, loving, serious, and dangerous because prayer for joy is not an emotional pampering. Prayer became the backbone of early Christians and they called on God for various reasons.

They called on God to exalt His name in the world; Matt 6:9; to extend God’s Kingdom; Matt 6:10; Rev 21:4; for the fullness of the Holy Spirit; Luk 11:13; Gal 5:22; to save the unbelievers; Rom 10:1; Matt 13:44; for healing Jas 5:13-15; Acts 8:7; for strategic wisdom Col 1:9; 3:16; for unity and harmony in the rank Jn 17:20-21; Phil 2:2; to know God better Col 1:10; Eph 1:17; to comprehend the love of Christ Eph 3:14, 18; for a deeper sense of assured hope Eph 1:16, 18; for strength and endurance Col 1:11; Eph 3:16; for their faith to be preserved Luk 22:32; not to fall into temptation Matt 6:13; 26:41; to complete their resolves and enable them to do good works 2 Thee 1:11; for the forgiveness of sins Matt 6:12; and for protection from evil one Matt 6:13.

Our call as Christians are to pray for the above concerns just like early Christians. Prayer and meditation are inseparable as God’s Word and His Spirit 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:21. Without prayer we try to fulfill the Word in our own strength, and we may become like Pharisees eventually and may give up in despair. The Spirit brings joy where the Word of God is exalted and enables us to see the beauty of Christ in God’s Word. Using God’s Word in prayer is a powerful weapon to war against the schemes of the devil, and God’s Word has power to bring down strongholds and everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God; 2 Cori 10:3-5.

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

We must pray to incline our heart, open the eyes of our heart so that we are satisfied in God alone. Prayer is also the indispensable remedy and healing to our hearts when we do not desire God, the way we should.

Reference: Piper, John. When I don’t desire God: How to fight for joy (Wheaton: IL, Crossway Books,2004).