The Nugget:
1Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
My Comment:
This post continues my discussion of three practices that were suggested to me many years ago about how to grow in my Christian walk. The illustration shared with me was that of a simple three-legged stool. The stool must have three legs to stand upright. A Christian must practice three things to continue to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). These things are (1) read the Bible daily so God can speak to me (Acts 17:11); (2) pray daily so that I can speak to God (1 Thessalonians 5:17); (3) be a witness for Jesus Christ daily so that I can speak for God (Proverbs 11:30).
If I do not do these three things daily, and if you do not do these things daily, we limit and even stunt our Christian and spiritual growth.
Surely it is not hard to pray to God. The Bible tells us that God delights to hear our prayers (Proverbs 15:8). God invites us to make our requests to Him (Philippians 4:6). God assures us that He hears our prayers (Proverbs 15:29; 1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 5:14, 15). God’s Word tells us that sometimes we have not because we ask not (James 4:2). Jesus Himself taught and promised “Ask, and you shall receive” (Luke 11:9).
As you read the Bible daily, starting with the New Testament, be sure to notice the many things God’s word teaches us about prayer. I believe you will find, as I have found, that God does keep His promises!