PART 2: PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

I would like to share my notes from my devotions yesterday on the second command in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 with you. So, everything below is pretty much exactly what I have in my notebook. :)

Verses:

1. 1 Timothy 2:1 – "First of all then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,"

2. Philippians 4:6 – "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

3. Matthew 26:41 – "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Notes:

Timothy tells us that there are different kinds of prayer; some of these are requests thanksgiving, and praise (not all of these are mentioned in the 1 Timothy verse). This tells us that we can pray about anything we feel on our hearts; whether we are struggling with a certain sin, or thankful for God's blessings, or just aware of how great God is. God loves to hear us pray. He loves when we call on him for help, and when we give him all the glory instead of giving it to ourselves. When we are anxious, like Philippians says, we can call on God and ask him for help, to give us what we need. Then we will not be tempted to sin by being anxious. Matthew 26:41 tells us to "watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." This tells us that we must fight against the temptations of the devil by praying. It also mentions that the flesh is weak. We don't have the desire to pray on our own. But with the Holy Spirit in us, we are strengthened, and will have the desire to pray. God will make it easier for us to pray about everything by his Holy Spirit. By prayer, also, we can ask God for faith that he will answer our prayers.

After taking notes, I prayed that God would help me to pray about everything more. I asked him to help me to thank and praise him more, especially. I also prayed that I would pray when I face a struggle, or if I am about to sin and need help, and that I would pray when I feel weak and not able to do what God has called me to do.

I hope this post has been encouraging!

-Sarah :)