18.9.06

Pray Without Ceasing

Pray without ceasing (1Th 5:17)

Three simple words, but what an impact to the life of a believer if we live by them!

I was struck this morning by something very similar in the words of Samuel the prophet.

"Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you" (1Sa 12:23)

Even though the people had sinned against the Lord by rejecting him as king, Samuel still knew his responsibility to make intercession for those whom the Lord had given him care over.

The Apostle Paul, also, again and again in his letters states how he never stops praying for all the saints.

As we learn to pray without ceasing we become more like the one that we are being transformed to be like: Christ Jesus, who ever lives to make intercession for us! [Heb 7:25]

4 comments:

Chris Hamer-Hodges said...

Not intentionally. I didn't have time to dig through all the verses where Paul says he is continually praying for the believers -- a good study for a rainy day.

My own pet theory on Hebrews is that it was authored by Barnabas. The Levite from Cyprus, fellow Apostle and travelling companion of Paul. For my money this would explain a lot: such as the Pauline flavour without the trademark signatures, the deep understanding of the Levitical law, and its clear Apostolic authority...

...pure speculation of course!

Anonymous said...

Chris may I add ..

We are learning all the time about prayer, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The disciples ask Christ … Teach us to pray Matthew 6, therefore as Christians we are called to grow in faith and in prayer; we do not arrive suddenly at the fullness of faith and prayer - our progress is ongoing!
This principle is expressed in, Proverbs 4:18

But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
Keep praying and the blog

Anonymous said...

Indeed we have a divine responsibility to engage our hearts firmly and continuously at the prayer altar.

Anonymous said...

Chris

Found this quote by Samuel M. Shoemaker

Don't pray to escape trouble. Don't pray to be comfortable in your emotions. Pray to do the will of God in every situation. Nothing else is worth praying for.


Richard