1 Thessalonians 16:18 Always be joyful. Never stop praying. [New Living BibleTranslation]
Summary
There are some thing the Bible tells us to never stop doing. In I Thessalonians 16: 18 we are instructed to NEVER STOP PRAYING. Some of the other translations put it this way:
- Pray without ceasing. [King James translation]
- Pray continually. [New International translation]
- Always keep praying. [Living Bible Translation]
- Pray constantly. [Revised Standard translation]
- Pray at all times [Good News translation]
The Bible provides a number of reasons when we should pray constantly, including the following:
- GOD hears. Unlike churches that can lock their doors, unlike phones that can that signal that the person we are calling is busy or is not picking up or perhaps refusing to answer, we have a “GREAT HIGH PRIEST” (Hebrews 4:14) , who has gone to heaven to help us. (Hebrews 4:14.)
- HE understands. Our GREAT HIGH PRIEST understands and sympathizes with our weaknesses. (Hebrews 4:15)
- HE is a GOD of GRACE and MERCY. Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to pray with “confidence” and “boldly” because our GREAT HIGH PRIEST will allow us to come before HIM and willing to extend GRACE and MERCY in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
- Prayer reaffirms. Pray reaffirm our relationship with GOD. When we go to GOD we acknowledge HIM as our CREATOR, as OMNISCIENT, as OMNIPOTENT, and LORD. Like David in 2 Samuel 22:2-4, prayer is an acknowledgement that: “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my GOD, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”
- Prayer Glorifies GOD. Prayer helps us refocus. Instead of it being all about “me” or “this nation” or “that nation” or whatever circumstance that troubles us, prayer is a time to remember “Our GOD in heaven.” Prayer is a time pause, to relax, to let go and to leave our burdens with HIM. Psalms 55:22.
What happens when people pray? The Bible is full of examples! Women, who were called barren, have children. See, Hannah, (1 Samuel Chs 1, 2); Sarai (Genesis Ch.11, 21); Rebekah (Genesis Ch. 25); the Shunammite woman (2 Kings 4); Elizabeth (Luke 1). GOD forgives.
See, David (2 Samuel 12:13); Psalms 51. God Strengthens. See, Samuel (Judges 16:28); David (1 Samuel 30); JESUS (Luke 22: 41-43). And much more….
Never Stop Exercising
Although many people will talk about the benefits of exercise, many do not realize what happens when they stop:
According to Maria Masters in “This is What Happens to Your Body When You Stop Exercising,” www.health.com/fitness/stop-exercising-effects, researchers found in a study published in the journal, Frontier In Aging Neuroscience, that even a short vacation from your workout may cause changes to the brain.
In a study where a group of long-distance runners took off for 10 days, their MRI’s showed reduced blood flow to the hippocampus, the part of the brain that associated with emotions and memory.
In related studies measuring what happens when people stop exercises, it was noted that after 14 days your endurance may decrease
Master’s study of the research indicated that after four weeks, a person might see a decline in their strength.
In another study in 2016, elite Taekwondo athletes experienced an increase in body fat and a decrease in muscle mass after an eight-week exercise hiatus.
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Never Stop
Some things are just not worth the risk or worth losing. Some might include the following on their “Never Stop” list:
- We should never stop learning. Albert Einstein said, “Once you stop learning you start dying.”
- We should never be silent about injustice. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated:
“Injustice Anywhere Is A Threat to Justice Everywhere.” Elie Wiesel put it this way:
“There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must NEVER be a time when we fail to protest.” - We should never stop loving one another. John 13:34-35.
- And, NEVER stop praying.
Today and every day, never stop celebrating GOD’s Goodness!
And, BE BLESSED.
