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“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
This is a very short verse in the Word of God, yet full of meaning for us. But just what does it mean? In Matthew 6:7, the Lord Jesus warned the people that when they prayed, they were to not to use “vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” The Lord does not mean us to be like that, and to use empty repetitions.
I would suggest that today’s verse means that we are always to be in an attitude of prayer, and ready to lift up our hearts to the Lord, whether in thankfulness, praise, or in bringing a need before the Lord. We are not to allow anything in our life that would keep us from instant prayer.
Also, we are to be ready to pray until we receive an answer from the Lord. For example, the Apostle Paul prayed three times that a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9) might be taken away from him. But when the Lord showed him that He was not going to take it away, Paul submitted and did not pray any more in that way. On the other hand, I prayed for a good friend for almost 50 years, that he might be saved, because I had the sense in my soul that he would be saved. Eventually he did get saved—a wonderful answer to prayer.
Prayer is a wonderful privilege for every believer! Let us use it constantly, but in the right way.
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