https://odb.org/2024/10/29/pause-to-pray
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances;for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
At first glance, Paul exhortation for us in 1 Thessalonians 5 to pray continually is impractical and impossible. How can we pray continually when we need to live life, involving many other actions, from eating, bathing, travelling, working, etc? We are not monks devoted to a life of only prayer, isolated from the world. We are in the world although we are not of the world.
But if we dig deeper, we will realise that Paul is saying this, knowing fully well that we need to live life. There are many other things to do and attend to. Yet, in the midst of all that we do, we can pray continually. Praying constantly, whether in words or the spirit. Every chance we have, we pray and speak to God. Rejoicing always that we are in Him. Giving thanks constantly for His goodness and blessings. In all situations, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God. When we achieve something, praise God and thank Him. When we missed something – like when we came back to the city late yesterday night, we forgot to bring back the clothes iron we wanted to exchange with, we still thank Him for today and the days to come. This morning, we don’t have an iron to press our clothes. Fortunately, my darling wife has an alternative – a steam iron that people use at boutiques. Not the best, but let’s pray that it works!
Pray continually, meaning we pray and remember God in every situation. In all that we do, we commit ourselves unto Him. We commit our plans to Him, immediate, short-term, or long-term. I will be attending a difficult meeting with the client later – I commit it unto the Lord. I will be reviewing a tough and lengthy document later, and I pray and commit my time and effort unto God. Pray continually for those who need our prayers. For people who are sick, undergoing treatment, in financial need, or going through persecutions. Or for those organising a big event like their wedding. Come to think of it, if we want to, there are a thousand and one prayer items that we can pray for!
Ronnie's Thoughts 