Pray without ceasing…how desperation gives birth to spiritual growth.
I think every person who has ever prayed a prayer more than once could say that it can be difficult to follow the instructions of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18… “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.“
Rejoice always? Give thanks in every circumstance? Pray without ceasing…what do these words really mean, and how do we, as believers in a good and faithful God, hold onto hope when our souls grow weary? It can feel disheartening to feel like you have mustered up all your faith and strength to believe for miracles to happen. That your prayers are earnest and fervent, so why haven’t they been answered? You have been praying some of the same prayers for a long time; months, even years …so why does it seem like God does not hear you?
A spiritual truth that the Lord has shown me, over and over, is that the prayers we pray are a love language of connection and intimacy with Him. And so it is, as in many areas of our lives, that God’s ways of thinking and being, are not like our human ways. We forget that He is first and foremost a Father. The Perfect Parent. And His greatest concern is not our circumstances, rather our hearts, our refined character, the carving away of fleshly desires and the forming of our image and likeness into that of Christ. That is typically not a pleasant process, but it is necessary, and the result is completely beautiful in the end.
If you are a parent, or you reflect on how you were parented, you may or may not understand why this process of discipline and relentless correction is necessary. But when we allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us, by learning the ways of God’s Kingdom through studying His Word, we come to know that the ultimate goal of living a Christian life is NOT to get our prayers answered, rather to submit to the Father’s authority, and learn to live a lowly, dependent, and crucified life. Just as Jesus did, during His time on the earth. So, if you do not understand why God is not answering your prayers, here are a few things to consider:
Are you praying prayers that align with Scripture, with how Jesus taught us to pray? Are you praying for your enemies to be blessed? (Matthew 5:44-45) Are you working diligently for the increased income you are seeking? (2 Thessalonians 3:10) Are you believing without doubting, for the prayers you are praying? (James 1:7-8)
Why might there be a delay in your prayers? Could it be an attempt by Satan to discourage you and make you doubt God’s faithfulness? (1 Peter 5:8) Could this be a test of your own faith and endurance, which produces the character of God? (Romans 5:3-5)
There is a spiritual lesson connected to praying without ceasing: learning to rejoice always and giving thanks in all circumstances. Being able to praise God in the midst of our troubles is a powerful weapon in the spiritual realm. Paul said he learned the key to being content in all circumstances while awaiting death in a prison (Phil. 4:11-13). And yet another time, Paul and Silas had their chains fall off, being supernaturally delivered from death, because they chose to worship while imprisoned (Acts 16:26).
Sometimes, because God knows all things, unanswered prayers are the Father’s way of ensuring you stay connected and reliant on Him. He knows, that without a need, without desperate cries for His help, your heart would stray. (Matthew 5:3)
If you are in a place where you are feeling dis-couraged in your prayers, I want to take this opportunity to command that spirit of “dis” be cast into the pit of hell where it belongs, and declare that your courage for prayer would be restored!
Pray bold prayers today, with fresh en-courage-ment! Believe for the impossible, for with God, all things are possible (Matt. 19:26). Your prayers matter. The Lord hears every one of them, and they are a precious gift in the relationship- exchange between a loving Father and His child. Seek His face, and reflect on how your unanswered prayers, could it be the protective and pro-active nurturing of a good, good Daddy? One who does so out of love, and for your spiritual growth and development. Align your mind and heart with Jesus, and you will find renewed strength to pray without ceasing.
-With much love,
Dr. Jessica Stone
To learn more about how to effectively fight the enemy of your soul, especially discouraging thoughts and emotions, check out my guide to freedom: https://a.co/d/eM862lJ
