05/26/2024 – “Thinking of Prayer as Jesus Taught” / (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
“Our thinking about prayer, whether right or wrong, is based on our mental conception of it. The correct conception of it. The correct concept is to think of prayer as the breath of our lungs and the blood from our hearts. Our blood flows and our breathing continues ‘without ceasing’; we are not even conscious of it, but it never stops. And we are not always conscious of Jesus keeping us in perfect oneness with God, but if we are obeying Him, He always is. Prayer is not an exercise, it the life of a saint. Beware of anything that stops the offering up of prayer. ‘Prayer without ceasing …’ — maintain the childlike habit of offering up prayer in your heart to God all the time.
Jesus never mentioned unanswered prayer. He had the unlimited certainty of knowing that prayer is always answered. Do we have enough of the Spirit of Godthat inexpressible certainty that Jesus had about prayer, or do we think of the times when it seemed that God did not answer our prayer? Jesus said, ‘ … everyone who asks receives …’ (Matthew 7:8). Yet, we say, ‘But …, but ….’ God answers prayer in the best way – not just sometimes but every time. However, the evidence of the answer in the area we want it may not always immediately follow. Do we expect God to answer prayer?
The danger we have is that we want to water down what Jesus said to make it mean something that aligns with our common sense. But if it were only common sense, what He said would not even be worthwhile. The things Jesus taught about prayer are supernatural truths He reveals to us.”
Soli Deo Gloria!
“Be joyful always; pray continuously; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17