Prayer: Is this a daily practice of yours?
Aren’t we as believers told, even commanded, that this is to be an ongoing practice of ours?
1 Thessalonians 5:17
17 Pray without ceasing. [Emphasis added]
Such a simple but important command? But is this something you do regularly? I’m afraid much of the praying that goes on only happens when people want God to do something for them in what they see as an “emergency” situation. But don’t all of us have many things for which we should be grateful, making a habit of thanking God for them in prayer? Isn’t it even God’s will that we do that?
1 Thessalonians 5: 18
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. [Emphasis added]
We are also told that we’re not to be timid about our requests in prayer. This is a principle that has been and will always be true and applicable for God’s people.
Hebrews 4:16
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. [Emphasis added]
Instead of worrying about our troubles, we are to pray and seek God’s help in them all.
Philippians 4:6
6 Be careful for nothing [don’t worry about anything]; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. [Emphasis added]
God would have us pray about everything, whether it is of a spiritual or material nature. No limitations at all are given on this! But all too often we end up with limited options because we failed to speak to God about the matter early on. We only saw prayer and God as a last resort. Yes, prayer should always be our first choice, not our last resort. Prayers are in no way to be limited to what we might think of as “spiritual” matters. There’s no problem at all with praying about all those things related to food, clothing, shelter, and much more.
The apostle Paul prayed about his physical infirmities. We see an example of that in his second letter to the Corinthian church. And even though his prayers weren’t always answered the way he wanted them to be, he did not express ungratefulness. Here’s what he said about it all.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
Notice what God then told him and most of all notice his response.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [Emphasis added]
What a powerful pack of verses! As I often say, NO is always just as much of an answer to prayer as YES. God definitely DID answer his prayers even though Paul didn’t get what he requested. Has that ever happened to you? I think it has happened to EVERY believer. I suspect there will be many times when we don’t get what we request. But we can always rejoice in knowing—
God loves us all!
God hears all our prayers!
God answers all our prayers!
God knows what’s best for us!
God has promised to provide for us all our needs! He’s even given us that promise in writing.
Philippians 4:19
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. [Emphasis added]
Please note that He didn’t say our wants; He said our NEEDS! Can’t we celebrate that and give thanks for this?
We’re to pray about whatever circumstances we’re having to deal with. Life is filled with problems and difficulties, but God is fully aware of all of them and is quite willing to intercede in our behalf. Nevertheless, He may not do what you happen to think is best. Here’s a promise we can all count on.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. [Emphasis added]
Actually, the Greek text on this tells us it is God who is the subject in this verse, and it is He who works all things together for good. We are assured that He is perfectly capable of doing that.
We have numerous examples in Scripture of things we can and should pray about. For instance, the apostle Paul prayed about his safety and more pertaining to his missionary journeys.
Romans 1:9-10
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. [Emphasis added]
Paul prayed about earthly rulers, the political leaders of his day.
1 Timothy 2:1-3
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [Emphasis added]
I’m afraid for most people about the only praying they ever do is at mealtime. Of course we should do that, but our time in prayer should not be only then! Scripture is plain on this.
1 Timothy 4:4-5
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. [Emphasis added]
You should even make a list of people you should be praying for. I made one many years ago on my computer that I update periodically. There are people who will read this whose names have been on that list for many years. Who and what are YOU praying for? Don’t we all have trouble recalling people and situations we need to be praying about? Making a list will help you with that.
God has given us promises about our prayers that we all need to act on. Some of those promises in the Bible are not addressed to us, but others are. We all need to sort those things out so we can pray intelligently. This is what the “right division” of Scripture is all about.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Study [SPOUDAZO = be diligent] to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [Emphasis added]
If you want to know more about many of the other promises you can count on, you should get my book—22 Key Promises You Can Count On. You can order it on Amazon or directly through this website. You will find many articles on all this right here on this website by utilizing the search box. Just type a key word or two there and tap your enter key. Here are the names of some of the articles you’ll find—
Prayer: How should we pray?
Prayers: To whom should we address them?
Prayer: What about those unanswered prayers?
Prayer: Is “The Lord’s Prayer” a model prayer for us today?
Prayer: What are some basic questions and answers?
You will even find videos on this website about all this. I hope you’ll be willing to invest a little time looking into this. What a wonderful difference the application of these principles will make in your own life and, even, that of others.
