THURSDAY: PRAY CONTINUALLY
KEY PASSAGE
“pray continually,”
DEVOTIONAL
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul writes to encourage the believers in Thessalonica, praising their faith and urging them to continue their good work. He also reminds them of what to focus on as Christ-followers who are eagerly awaiting the return of Jesus. One key point that Paul emphasizes as he closes his letter is a reminder to “pray continually” (or “pray without ceasing,” as some translations say).
What does this mean for us today? Like the Thessalonian believers, we also wait expectantly for the return of Jesus. This means we should adopt a posture of continual prayer. However, this does not mean God wants us to go to our prayer closet and never leave. While the quiet space of prayer is very needed and important, to pray without ceasing involves staying consciously aware of God throughout the day. It is about acknowledging Him in every moment.
For example, we can lift up prayers of thanks and gratitude while we drive. We can express our worries or concerns to Him before walking into a stressful situation. We can ask for strength and wisdom in moments of anxiety. We can pray for loved ones when they come to mind during lunch. These are all ways we can “pray continually” throughout our day.
CHALLENGE
Today, before you go about your day and handle your responsibilities, ask God to help you remain aware of His presence throughout the day. Practice praying continually by simply acknowledging Him in small ways. You can do this by lifting up someone’s name to God when they come to mind, or by saying “Thank you” to Him when something makes you smile. We can pray continually, because He is always with us.
If prayer seems difficult for you, consider using the acronym PRAY to help you get started:
PRAISE
Focus on who God is. Tell Him how great and awesome He is, and express love and appreciation for His attributes (Holy, Awesome, Mighty, Merciful, etc.).
REPENT
Ask God for forgiveness. Is there something you’ve thought, said, or done that you recognize as sinfull? Bring it to God in repentance, asking for forgiveness, and asking for His help to change.
ASK
What is going on in your life? What do you need? God wants to hear from you. Bring your needs to Him - be specific!
YIELD
Surrender your will to God. Acknowledge that His plans and ways are truly better than yours, and say “Yes and Amen” to His will. Trust Him with His plans for you.