How to Pray without Ceasing
By Kelly O’Dell Stanley
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, ESV).
Impossible, right? Maybe in the olden days, when every task directly affected your family’s survival—of course they prayed, because if the crop died, they’d starve. If someone got sick there was no medicine to help. Life was dangerous and fragile, and people weren’t distracted by social media and cell phones. But today? Who could be expected to keep their mind on God at all times? Surely God wouldn’t expect that of us, because He knows more than anyone how flawed we are, and how short our attention spans are.
Except that nowhere in the Bible is there an asterisk after that verse that says, “*unless you’re really busy.”
Here’s the good news. Not only is it possible to pray without ceasing, but it’s possible to do so without making any significant changes to your schedule or time commitments. It’s all about shifting your thought process and turning everyday moments into prayer. Keep that connection open and talk to God as you go through your day. Here is how you can pray without ceasing:
Begin with gratitude.
Psalm 100:4 says “enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
In other words, start by telling God what you’re thankful for. Prayer doesn’t have to be asking for something; it can simply be thanking Him from your heart for what He has already done.
Incorporate prayer into everyday chores.
Let your everyday tasks become acts of worship by turning them into times of prayer. As you fold laundry, pray for each family member—and then if your laundry piles are as high as mine, and you’re done praying but not done folding, branch out from there. Pray for your child’s soccer teammates, for the teachers standing in front of your children’s classrooms, for the partner who works hard to pay the bills, for health to stay active, for the workplaces where the clothes are worn. Or simply give thanks for the warmth of the home where you relax in those pajamas.
Sing a song of praise.
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise” (James 5:13).
Often, we think of prayer as what to do when we need God to fix something or when we’re unhappy. But the Bible encourages us to pray at all times. Try listening to worship music. As you sing along, offer it to God as your prayer. Or, better yet, make up your own song along the way. Nobody is listening but Him, so don’t worry if you’re out of tune.
Stop talking once in awhile. Instead, just listen.
“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:7).
The number (or quality) of words you use in prayer doesn’t matter, because prayer is about God, not about us. Allow yourself to contemplate the nearness of God. Trust that He is your constant companion. Don’t monopolize the dialogue, but spend some of your time just being, simply sitting and resting in His presence. And keep in mind that the best conversations are two-sided, but you won’t hear anything if you never stop to listen.
Editor’s Note: The following was adapted from How to Pray without Ceasing by Kelly O’Dell Stanley.
Today's Devotional Sponsors:
By Cecil Spivey
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:15-18
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. John 10:27-29
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 13:38-39
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:31
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Romans 4:5
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1
Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:33-39
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Romans 11:6
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 1 Cor. 15:1-5
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph. 2:8-9
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Titus 3:5
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13
Some say that the expression eternal security is unbiblical and should not be used. If that is true, so also are the expressions, The Trinity or the Triune God, the Vicarious (or Substitutionary) Death, Omniscience, Omnipresence, and others that are freely used. These identical words are not in the Bible, but the meaning is there. The Bible teaches that the believer is included in the "eternal purpose" of God (Eph. 3:10, 11); he has "eternal life" (1 John 5:13); his salvation is called "eternal salvation" (Heb.5:9); he has been redeemed by an "eternal redemption" (Heb. 9:12); and he is assured an "eternal inheritance" (Heb. 9:15); and he is called "to eternal glory" (1 Pet. 5:10). In view of these expressions, it is surely correct to speak of the "eternal security" of the believer for each and every one of these conditions does make him eternally secure.
The saved person has been redeemed from under the law (Gal. 4:5), and the curse of the law (Gal. 3:13), by an eternal redemption (Heb. 9:12). He is dead to the law (Rom. 7:4), and shall not come into condemnation (John 5:24, Rom. 8:1). He is reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:18), and is at peace with him (Col. 1:20). He is justified (Rom. 5:1), and all sins have been forgiven (Col. 2:13). He has been rescued from the power of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the Son of God (Col. 1:13). He has been born again of imperishable seed (1 Peter 1:23); is a son of God (John 1:12); and has eternal life (John 5:24). He is a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17). He is perfected forever (Heb. 10:14); is complete in Christ (Col. 2:10); and has been accepted by God (Eph. 1:6). He has been born of the Spirit (John 3:6); baptized by the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13); is lived in by the Spirit forever (John 14:16, 17); and has been sealed (or security marked) with the Spirit for the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30). He has become the object of God's love (Eph. 2:4), of his grace (Rom. 6:14), of his power (Eph. 1:19), and of his faithfulness (1 Cor. 1:9). He is a citizen of heaven (Eph. 2:19 and Phil. 3:20); is seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6); and is already glorified (Rom. 8:30).
Only One Cross For All Dispensations
Now it is quite true that God has different ages and dispensations and different programs with people but none of the dispensational or racial differences in any way affect the "gospel of Christ" that was foreordained for the salvation of any member of Adam's family that would "call upon the name of the Lord". Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:13; Acts 10:43; 15:10-11; 13:38-39. (Please honestly read these.) Though all penitent believers in Christ have His death baptism and His burial and resurrection put to their credit.
P. S.
If all the above Scriptures does not teach that the True Believer has Eternal life now and can not lose it. God’s word has no meaning. If you could loose Salvation, you could not be saved again no more than you can be born into the human family two times. You are born into the human family only once and you are born into God’s family only once.
The One True God
Faith Alone in Christ Alone =Salvation
DAILY SMILE:
Did You Remember?
Submitted by D-Gellybean
A married couple were enjoying a luxury South Sea cruise until their liner was shipwrecked and they were washed ashore on a desert island, the only survivors.
Day after day, they looked hopefully out to sea in the hope of spotting a passing vessel but none came. As boredom set in, they started to think about their home back in Arizona.
The wife asked, “Did you remember to pay the final installment on the Chevrolet before we came away?”
“No, honey, I clean forgot. Sorry.”
”Did you remember to pay the electric bill before we left home?”
“No, I completely forgot. Sorry.”
”Did you remember to pay the gas bill?”
”Do you know, that slipped my mind, too. Sorry.”
“And did you remember to pay the six-monthly tax bill?”
”I knew there was something important I had to do. I’m really sorry honey.”
”Well, at least there’s one good thing,” sighed the wife.
“What’s that?”
”They’ll find us.”
June 22, 2019:
The Anointing Word Ministry will be remembering our beloved mother the late, Sis. Annie Lee Magee on Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 12 noon at St Paul AME Church, 420 Church Street, Bogalusa, LA. The Anointed Word aim is to give service that will bring glory and
continued honor to Jesus Christ ,our Lord and Savior.. We focus on reaching out to believers and placing a continued hope in the lives of all believers. Rev. Michael Oree will bring the message and his choir will lead us in praise songs lifting up the name of Jesus. We are expecting a blessing! Come witness the power of God and give God the glory ! May God continue to endow you is our prayer.
June, July and/or August:
All Area Churches are Invited to place their Up-Coming Events, Revival, Camp Meeting, Bible Book Study, Vacation Bible School, Home Coming, Fifth Saturday/Sunday Event, etc... Any event except regular
church hours...
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 4-6 pound Boston Butt (bone-in with layer of fat on top)
- 1 TB ground cumin
- 1 TB garlic powder
- 1 TB onion powder
- 1 TB chili powder
- 1 TB cayenne pepper
- 1 TB salt
- 1 TB ground pepper
- 1 TB smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
- Mix all dry rub ingredients.
- Coat Boston Butt with dry rub, rubbing all over and in crevices.
- Place butt in fridge for several hours or overnight.
- When ready to cook, remove from fridge for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Preheat oven to 225 degrees.
- Place butt (fat side up) in aluminum/foil roasting pan.
- Bake until internal temperature of butt reaches 200 degrees (roughly 2 hours per pound)
- Allow meat to rest at least one hour after cooking.
- Remove fat layer and shred pork (pulled) or chop with shears (chopped).
- Serve with your favorite BBQ sauces.
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