"GOD'S WILL FOR YOU"

Pray Without Ceasing

INTRODUCTION
  1. In our previous lesson, we saw that it is God's will that you rejoice always...
    1. To rejoice in life
    2. To rejoice in salvation
  2. In 1Th 5:17 we also read that it is God's will for you to pray without ceasing...
    1. Really? This is what God wants us to do?
    2. Why is prayer so important?
    3. How can we possible pray "without ceasing"?

[In answer to such questions, let's begin by emphatically repeating that...]

  1. GOD WANTS YOU TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
    1. ACCORDING TO JESUS CHRIST...
      1. In the parable of the persistent friend - Lk 11:5-10
      2. In the parable of the persistent widow - Lk 18:1-8
    2. ACCORDING TO APOSTLE PAUL...
      1. "pray without ceasing" - 1Th 5:17
      2. "continuing steadfastly in prayer" - Ro 12:12
      3. "praying always with all prayer" - Ep 6:18
      4. "continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it" - Col 4:2
      5. "in everything by prayer...let your requests be made known to God" - Php 4:6

      [It is clear that God wants you to pray without ceasing. Why? I can think of at least 13 reasons why...]

  2. YOU NEED TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
    1. TO PRAISE GOD...
      1. Jesus taught us to praise God in prayer ("Hallowed be Your name") - Mt 6:9
      2. Paul provides an example and good reason to praise God in prayer - Ep 3:20-21
    2. FOR GOD'S WILL...
      1. Jesus taught us to pray for God's will on earth to be done - Mt 6:10
      2. Especially as it relates to His kingdom (rule, reign) - ibid.
    3. FOR DAILY NEEDS...
      1. Jesus taught to pray for our daily needs - Mt 6:11
      2. For God has promised to provide our necessities - cf. Mt 6:25-34
    4. FOR FORGIVENESS...
      1. Jesus taught to pray for forgiveness as we forgive others - Mt 6:12
      2. The Christian finds forgiveness through the blood of Christ - 1Jn 1:7-10; Ac 8:22
    5. FOR PROTECTION...
      1. Jesus taught us to pray for deliverance from the evil one - Mt 6:13
      2. And God will provide such protection - cf. 1Co 10:13
    6. FOR PEACE OF MIND...
      1. The antidote to anxiety is to pray - Php 4:6
      2. The Christian will find his heart and mind guarded by the peace of God - Php 4:7
    7. FOR EMPOWERMENT...
      1. Paul prayed the Ephesians might be strengthened in the inner man - Ep 3:14-16,20
      2. When we need to be strong, Christians can likewise pray for themselves!
    8. FOR OPPORTUNITY...
      1. Paul knew that the Lord often opened doors for opportunities to serve - 2Co 2:12
      2. He therefore requested prayer that such opportunities would continue - Col 4:3
    9. FOR BOLDNESS...
      1. When the apostles needed boldness, they prayed and God delivered - Ac 4:23-31
      2. When Paul needed boldness, he asked for prayers in his behalf - Ep 6:19-20
    10. FOR WISDOM...
      1. Wisdom is insight that makes the best use of the knowledge one has
      2. The Christian is promised wisdom through prayer - Jm 1:5-8
    11. FOR HEALING...
      1. Those who are sick should ask elders to pray for them - Jm 5:14-15
      2. Those who have sinned should confess, and we should pray for one another - Jm 5:16
    12. FOR TRANQUILITY...
      1. The Scriptures proclaim God has ultimate control over the nations - Dan 4:17; Ro 13:1-7
      2. Thus we are pray that we may lead a quiet (tranquil, ASV) and peaceable life - 1Ti 2:1-2
    13. TO THANK GOD...
      1. Paul would have us be vigilant in prayer, with thanksgiving - Col 4:2
      2. Having an attitude of gratitude, which we intend to examine more closely in our next lesson

      [For so many reasons, because there is power and privilege in prayer, we should pray as often as we can! Which leads to answering our final question...]

  3. HOW YOU CAN PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
    1. WHAT IT MEANS TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING...
      1. Does not mean praying constantly, but being persistent and consistent in prayer - NKJVSB
      2. It means not giving up; it does not mean praying at every moment - NLTSB
      3. It suggests a mental attitude of prayerfulness, continual personal fellowship with God, and consciousness of being in his presence throughout each day - ESVSB
    2. ESTABLISH SET TIMES TO PRAY...
      1. This can help create the habit of praying
      2. Consider the example of great men of prayer
        1. David, a man after God's own heart - Ps 55:17
        2. Daniel, a man greatly beloved by God - Dan 6:10
      3. At the very least, find time each day to spend in prayer!
    3. ENGAGE IN SPONTANEOUS PRAYER...
      1. Praying on the spur of the moment as the occasion calls for it
      2. Some Biblical examples
        1. The Israelites in the heat of battle - 1Ch 5:20
        2. Nehemiah in response to the king - Neh 2:4-5
        3. Paul and Silas when imprisoned - Ac 16:25
      3. At any moment, we should be ready to call on God in prayer
CONCLUSION
  1. How can we fulfill the command to pray without ceasing...?
    1. Praying at set times each day develops experience and persistence in praying
    2. Praying spontaneously as needs arise develops the disposition to pray in every circumstance
    3. Both help to develop that "mental attitude of prayerfulness, continual personal fellowship with God, and consciousness of being in his presence throughout each day" (ESVSB)
  2. And why should we strive to pray without ceasing...?
    1. Because of the privilege of prayer made possible by Jesus - He 4:14-16
    2. Because of the power of prayer to "obtain mercy and find grace to help" - ibid.

And so it is the will of God for you to "pray without ceasing", that you might enjoy both the privilege and power of prayer in your life...!