Meditations on Healthy Living

11/17/2021 NEVER STOP

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always be joyful. Never stop praying.
[New Living Bible translation]

Summary

There are some things the Bible tells us to never stop doing. In I Thessalonians 5: 16: 18 we are instructed to NEVER STOP PRAYING. Some of the various translations put it this way:

• • • • Pray without ceasing. [King James translation]
      • Pray continually. [New International translation]
      • Always keep on 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:

1. 1. 1. 1. GOD hears. Unlike churches that are sometimes closed and unlike phones that can lose a signal or unlike people, whose phones are busy, we cannot reach, or “can’t pick up right now,” or may have “blocked calls,” or simply “are not answering,” we have a “GREAT HIGH PRIEST,” (Hebrews 4:14) who has gone to heaven to help us, and is always on duty and who we can “boldly” go to in our times of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
         2. GOD understands. JESUS, who is our GREAT HIGH PRIEST, understands and sympathizes with our weaknesses. (Hebrews 4:15)
         3. GOD 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 is willing to extend GRACE and MERCY in our times of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
         4. THE HOLY SPIRIT is WITH US. GOD has also sent THE HOLY SPIRIT, our COMFORTER to abide with us “forever,” when it seems others have forsaken us. (John 14:16) THE HOLY SPIRIT also helps us pray when we are too weak to pray and when we feel we “can’t find the right words” or “we don’t know how to pray.”
         5. THE HOLY SPIRIT helps us. THE HOLY SPIRIT steps in and intercedes for us “with groans” and non-verbal, spiritual, utterances, communicating and translating the requests of our heart to THE FATHER. (Romans 8:26-27)
         6. We CONNECT with GOD through Prayer. Prayer reaffirms 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 acknowledgment 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, my refuge and 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.” GOD is our “real” shelter.
         7. 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 to pause, to relax, to let go, and to leave our burdens with GOD. (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….

As the Living Bible translation states: Always keep praying, no matter what happens! If you have heard this before, some things are worth repeating!

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