Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I know many people who struggle to understand God’s will for their lives, and I often find myself in a circumstance where I do not know what I should do. In the CBMC group I attended this Wednesday, we discussed 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 where Paul tells us, at least in part, what God’s will for our lives in Christ Jesus is. So what do I do when I do not know the way forward? When I do not know what to do? I do what I know I am supposed to do, which is: rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. Paul tells us that this is God’s will for your life in Christ Jesus.
So why does God tell us to pray? If you think about it, prayer is really a crazy concept unless there is a God on the other end of our prayer who can actually do something about it, and who is actually interested enough in our lives to act. The great news for us and the reason God tells us to pray is that He is indeed almighty, interested, and active.
I’m reminded of Daniel when he was crying out to God in an impossible situation on behalf of the people of Israel. The angel Gabriel shows up and says this to Daniel in chapter 9:23, “At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved.” Just as Daniel was starting to pray, an order was issued from the throne of God for Gabriel to go and let Daniel know that He heard him and that Daniel was greatly loved. With some of the last words of the Old Testament, we are reminded of what happens when we come together and pray. Malachi 3:16 says, “Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name.”
What would you pray for if you thought anything was possible?
Last week we looked at the greater work that Jesus desires to do through us. Yes, Jesus walked on water, healed the lame, and helped the blind to receive sight, but He said we would do even greater works than these. The more important work is that people come to know Him, be forgiven of their sins, and are saved. How often would you say you pray for people who don’t yet know the Lord. Think about the people you regularly come in contact with. Who comes to mind? Take a few minutes and pray for them. My challenge to you this week, is to pray for every person you encounter.
Think and pray
Think about how you often pray for yourself. How can you make those same prayers for your co-workers, customers, or vendors?
Heavenly Father, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say. Amen.
