“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 –
It’s something we do every minute of every day. It’s so natural to us that we don’t even think about it. You’re doing it right now as you read this. You’re breathing. Just as being in a constant state of breathing is natural to us, we are also called to be in a continuous attitude of prayer. When scripture says to “pray continually”, the original Greek translation of that word (adialeiptōs) means to pray “without intermission, incessantly and without ceasing”. What does praying continually look like to us? It means when we face a trial, we go to the one who fights for us, our Heavenly Father. It means when something good happens, we give the credit and praise our Father in heaven. When we’re tempted, we don’t give in to it but rather ask God for His rescuing. He’s an ever-present help in times of trouble! When we see others in trouble, our first instinct should be to lift them and their situation to the Father. I’ve heard this attitude of prayer referred to as “strolling with the Holy Spirit”.
Personal Reflection:
Are you making it a habit to stroll with the Spirit? Is your natural tendency to complain or grumble when someone says something you don’t want to hear? Do you panic when trials and tribulations come your way? Let’s look at it a different way… do you take the credit for something good that you should instead be praising our God in heaven for? Take some time to evaluate your responses in these times and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth for you to see.
Personal Application:
It’s our natural tendency to go to God when we need help, assistance or when tragedy comes our way. For us to transition into a continual attitude of prayer, let’s begin a new habit. Start today to thank Him when you experience something sweetly unexpected. When you are tempted by that continual thorn in your side, ask Him for deliverance. The more you do, the more instinctive it will be to you and you will be continually setting your minds on heavenly things above, not the things of this world.
