I Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “pray without ceasing.” I have to say that throughout my life no matter how frustrated I get, I try not to stop praying. I may not pray all the time on my knees, but I am in constant conversation with God. I probably should do more time on my knees, but I am grateful that I have Him to talk to all the time while I’m gardening, walking, driving, trying to go to sleep, etc…
I believe since Paul had so many trials to overcome, he knew the importance of constantly keeping God in our thoughts. This world is not an easy place to live in, and many times it knocks the mess out of us. I cannot imagine not having God to talk to all the time. It would be like walking in a wilderness blindly and deafly, all alone.
Paul even reiterates this constant praying in Romans 12:12, “rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer.” What is so interesting, is in both references he tells us to first rejoice and then to pray without ceasing. How many times have we forgotten the rejoicing part? I know I have, especially when things are not going very well. We must remember to rejoice that we have a God that we can pray to, and who cares about us and listens.
We need Him, but He wants us. So, when life seems to become more than we can handle; or we feel that our accomplishments for the day would not even fill a line on a piece of paper, turn to Him, and fall into His open arms, so that He can carry you along. He is always there, and it is amazing when He floods you with the peace that surpasses all understanding in the midst of a storm. We must surrender ourselves to the throne, and wait for Him to move things for us. Let Him carry our burdens, and trust that it will all come out for good.
Remember to “humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (I Pet 5:6-7).
Make your request known to the Father, lay them at His feet, and respect Him by trusting Him that He hears you and is listening. Remember that when you pray to the Father you must have Faith and do not doubt, for if you doubt you won’t receive anything from Him because of your double-mindedness (James 1: 6-8).
The Father does care about you. He wants you to talk to Him. Ask Him everything and wait upon the Lord to answer whether His answer is yes or no. Pray, wait, trust, and believe, all have to be present and working together always, and may you find peace and joy while you wait for His reply.