10/29/2021
We are told to pray without ceasing and although many of us take this to mean precisely that, and live in a constant state of prayer, some translate this verse to mean that we are to pray regularly as if on a schedule, but how many of us adhere to even this limited regimen of prayer? Aren’t there those among us who only remember to talk with the Lord when trouble or need overwhelms them, while others are hard pressed to pray at all? Which of these describes our specific prayer life, and what is God’s desire when it comes to prayer?
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 ESV
Jesus abides in us, and we in Him, and that means He is here within us always. He does not want to be a part of our day, no, He wants our day to be a part of Him. His desire isn’t to be there when we need Him, but to be there always… in every moment and circumstance; in each and every breath we breathe… making our life a constant prayer.
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”
John 15:4 ESV
And this is precisely how Jesus describes His relationship with God, His Father. Listen to His words regarding that relationship, and let’s ask ourselves if we shouldn’t be just like Him. Remember what Jesus said…
“Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.”
John 14:11 ESV
Now let’s return to our discussion of prayer. If we are a part of Christ, and He is s part of God, then our lives are a part of God as well, and as such our minds and prayers should be one with Him, and His will for us, always. The implication here isn’t that we go in and out of our relationships with the Father and Son, nor is it that our prayers be separated from our thoughts regarding them, but that we remain in a constant state of staying, and prayer…
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV
In this way we find that we are praying without ceasing, and our faith remains strong. Once we realize that Jesus, and God, are not a part of us, but that we are a part of them, then the proper order is established, and we understand what it means to lean on God and to trust Him with all our heart.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
For those of us who haven’t come to this realization yet we need reminders. We begin by seeking God when we are in trouble, then we come to that place where we speak with Him at certain times of the day, and finally we mature to the point where we are awakened to find that we are in Him, and He is in us always. Jesus leads us to this place by teaching us to lean on God every day. We need physical and spiritual sustenance every day, so we are first taught to lean on God daily, and pray in this manner…
“Give us each day our daily bread,”
Luke 11:3 ESV
God wants us to depend on Him to provide our daily needs because it brings us into a closer relationship with Him, not to simply make us dependent on Him, but to open our eyes to His love for us, and to ultimately see that we abide in Him. He used this same methodology to reestablish the faith of the Israelites during their years in the wilderness…
“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.”
Exodus 16:4 ESV
So where are we in our faith and relationship with the Lord? Well, we can gauge this by looking at our prayer life. Our maturity in faith goes hand in hand with the frequency of our prayers. Or, if you so choose, you can turn this around and say that the maturity of our prayer life walks stride for stride with our faith. Either way, the Lord wants us to be joined together in a perfect relationship. Just as we are made to be one flesh through marriage to our spouses, so we are to be of one spiritual flesh with God, and Jesus Christ…
“For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.”
Isaiah 54:5 ESV
“Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.””
Revelation 21:9 ESV
Are we one with our faith, our prayers, and God? Are we breathing in and out the very same breath of God in this way?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and His instruction on prayer. Thank you for abiding in us and showing us that we abide in you through Him. Jesus said that none can come to you except through Him, and we shout thanks in joyous prayer for that revelation, and where it leads us in our faith, relationship with you, and our prayers themselves. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who has called us through Jesus Christ to abide within you. Praised be your name for leading us through a journey of prayer to a maturity of faith, and perfect relationship with you. Merciful are you who hears our prayers of remorse and contrition, and answers our pleas for forgiveness from sin. Amazing is your grace that joins us as one, and allows us to share your breath forevermore. We find our eternal peace in conversation with you, and by this continuous dialogue of prayer our marriage is established, nourished, and we become as one forevermore. Praised be your name my God.
“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
Colossians 4:2 ESV
Rich Forbes