Guidelines for a Lifestyle of Thankfulness: Part Three
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18).
Joy is a primary trait of giving thanks. It is enabled by having a good prayer life. We are to “pray without ceasing….”
Prayer is the natural consequence of friendship with God.
Henry J. Thoreau said, “Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Perhaps this is true. For those of whom it is true, it is a revelation that they have not established the right friendship with God.
To “pray without ceasing” doesn’t mean continuously occurring prayer, BUT constantly recurring. It means never to hang up the receiver, even if you are not talking. It means to always have your antenna up. Our practice of prayer may be intermittent, but the spirit of prayer must be incessant.
Constant prayer causes our mind to conceive and the child brought forth is WISDOM.
In times of crisis, we are prone to resort to prayer. In the Cuban missile crisis, America faced a pending disaster. Russian-made missiles in Cuba were found aimed at our cities. A naval blockade was set up. Confrontation seemed inevitable. People rushed to stores to stock up on medicine, food, and batteries. President Kennedy in an address to the nation appealed to all people to pray “in your homes, churches, and schools.” Even schools! Yes, the crisis forgets about improper laws. If we will pray in a crisis, why not in celebration.
If you are ever on a flight preparing for a crash and the pilot has time you will hear him say: “We are beginning our final descent. At this moment, in accordance with International Aviation Codes established at Geneva, it is my obligation to inform you that if you believe in God you should commence prayer.”
Don’t wait for a nose dive to pray.
Self-confidence apart from the right relationship with the Lord is one of our greatest hindrances. Associated-confidence is a sure way to victorious living. By this is meant aligning yourself with the will of the Father through prayer.
For example, the failure of Simon Peter at the time of the betrayal of Christ could not be attributed to insincerity or a lack of zeal. In good faith he loved Jesus. In good faith he would have died for Him. His failure grew out of a prayerless heart in the garden. As a result, he trusted his own strength to do what his own will dictated. If he had obeyed His Lord and prayed, this self-deception would have been avoided.
Prayer is not simply asking and receiving. It is also praise and thanksgiving and not just on Thanksgiving Day. Keep the communication channel open daily. It is the undergirding of joy.