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Bible Bits
BIBLE BITS
Pray Without Ceasing
"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thess. 5:16-18
What does it mean to pray without ceasing? Does it mean to pray 24 hours a day, non-stop? Obviously not. That would be impossible. It simply means to pray often. We should habitually bring before God matters large and small on a regular basis and have a mindset that is ready at any moment to pray. Don’t just pray once a day, such as before you go to bed, with the possible addition of mealtime prayers. Instead, pray throughout the day as opportunities arise: pray short prayers and long prayers, spontaneous prayers and scheduled prayers; pray whether you’re happy or sad, successful or unsuccessful, yet always with thanksgiving. This is praying without ceasing and is well-pleasing to our heavenly Father. The question is, do you pray that way?
Daniel’s Prayer Life
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days." -Dan. 6:10 NKJV
Daniel knew he might get in trouble. In fact, he knew he might die. Refusing to cease from his daily prayers would likely result in his capture and death, as the freshly minted Persian law indicated. Did that stop him? No. Daniel continued praying as he had since early days: three times a day, with his windows open toward Jerusalem. What a wonderful example! Are you in the habit of daily prayer? Do you continue in that habit regardless of any distractions or threats that might stand in your way? If so, great job! You have a prayer life like Daniel's. If not, then you need to make prayer a priority in your life. Just as Daniel opened his windows toward Jerusalem, open your heart toward Heaven, daily. There's no better day to start than today.
Giving Thanks
“…giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” -Eph. 5:20 NKJV
Three key questions are answered in this verse regarding giving thanks. First, how often should we give thanks? “Always.” There is never a time in life, good or bad, when we shouldn’t be thankful. Make a daily habit of expressing gratitude in prayer. Second, what things should we give thanks for? “All things.” Open your eyes to see the abundance of blessings in your life, and give thanks for all of them, big and small, physical and spiritual. Third, to whom should we give thanks? “To God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Since it is from God that every good and perfect gift comes, it is to Him, in Jesus' name, that we should shower our thanksgiving and praise.
