Have You Given Up on Prayer?

Text: “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

Introduction
According to the English dictionary, to pray is to make request with earnestness or zeal, as for something desired; to make entreaty or supplication; to offer prayer to a deity or divine being as a religious act; specifically, to address the Supreme Being with adoration, confession, supplication, and thanksgiving.

The text has admonished us to pray without ceasing. And to pray without ceasing in Christianity simply means continuous rendering of supplications to God through our only Saviour Jesus Christ.

The most painful aspect of the Christian life is when you feel your prayers are just hitting the ceiling and returning to you. In other words, you feel your prayers are not being answered. This feeling is normal when you are frustrated and you want a quick solution to your problem or challenge.

Dear beloved, have you given up on prayer? Even though you may feel your prayer is not being answered, don’t give up on prayer.

First of all, know that it is a feeling from the devil and his demons to make you give up on prayer. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ admonished his disciples in Matthew 26:41 saying “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”. There are lots of tribulations surrounding our living but consistent prayers makes temptations to be averted in our daily lives.

Secondly, if truly your prayer is not being answered, then you are living in doubt. James 1:6-7 says “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord”. Every elements of doubt should be removed from our lives but instead let us have faith in God.

Finally, if truly your prayer is not being answered, then you are not praying according to the Word of God. James 4:3 says “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts”.

Beloved, you can overcome this feeling by rebuking the feeling and the devil or demons behind it. In addition, declare words of faith by saying, for example, “Thank you, Jesus Christ, for rewarding my faith, glory to God!” and burst into thanksgiving and rejoicing. We should learn to declare the word of God in our lives. The psalmist in Psalms 119:46-47 says “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved”. As a child of God, let us not be ashamed in declaring the word of God and obeying His commandments.

Finally, pray on the basis of the Holy Scriptures, and let them be the evidence of your faith. Having the right motive for your prayers, your faith will be rewarded physically.

Remember that any time you pray correctly, God will initiate the process spiritually for the answer to manifest physically, so be patient. Write the prayers down so that you can easily recognize their answers and give glory to God. The more you give glory to God for answered prayers, the happier He will be to do more for you.

Prayer Point : Dear heavenly Father, thank you for teaching me from your Word not to give up on prayer. Please create a burning desire in me to always pray without ceasing, in Jesus’ Name Amen.

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