Day 2 – Unceasing in prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 “Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; thank God in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus …” 

Prayer and faith go hand in hand, but it is not an instant method to get God to act on our behalf. James describes this kind of prayer as “earnest, continued” prayer, and Paul exhorts us to be unceasing in our prayer – to me that speaks of perseverance and patience.

Have you noticed that God’s timing is usually very different from ours? More often than not, our prayers are not answered immediately. There are various reasons for this, but I believe that God wants us to exercise our faith muscles. Prayer that requires pressing in and determination even when we don’t see results, causes spiritual growth.

Paul says to give thanks to God no matter what the circumstances are. He isn’t referring to easy, smooth-sailing times, because then thanksgiving comes naturally – no, he is referring to difficult times when things seem to go wrong all the time when our prayers don’t seem to achieve results.

Let us be unceasing and thankful in our prayers today – trusting God to act in His perfect time as He deems fit. After all, He has our best interest at heart.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, let me start by thanking You for the uncomfortable, uncertain circumstances that I am facing. Thank you, Lord, for things that aren’t going well, because I can exercise my faith in You. I trust You to take the best care of me in all these things because You hold my future and You know what is best for me. Amen

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