Can't keep my eyes off of you!

May 26, 2006
Thinking of Prayer as Jesus Taught
Pray without ceasing . . . —1 Thessalonians 5:17
-->Our thinking about prayer, whether right or wrong, is based on our own mental conception of it. The correct concept is to think of prayer as the breath in our lungs and the blood from our hearts. Our blood flows and our breathing continues "without ceasing"; we are not even conscious of it, but it never stops. And we are not always conscious of Jesus keeping us in perfect oneness with God, but if we are obeying Him, He always is. Prayer is not an exercise, it is the life of the saint. Beware of anything that stops the offering up of prayer. "Pray without ceasing . . ."— maintain the childlike habit of offering up prayer in your heart to God all the time.
Jesus never mentioned unanswered prayer. He had the unlimited certainty of knowing that prayer is always answered. Do we have through the Spirit of God that inexpressible certainty that Jesus had about prayer, or do we think of the times when it seemed that God did not answer our prayer? Jesus said, ". . . everyone who asks receives . . ." ( Matthew 7:8 ). Yet we say, "But . . . , but . . . ." God answers prayer in the best way— not just sometimes, but every time. However, the evidence of the answer in the area we want it may not always immediately follow. Do we expect God to answer prayer?
The danger we have is that we want to water down what Jesus said to make it mean something that aligns with our common sense. But if it were only common sense, what He said would not even be worthwhile. The things Jesus taught about prayer are supernatural truths He reveals to us.


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That last thought is a big kick in the face. I really need to just be praying just as I blink. I need to be focusing on God just as I do thing without even thinking about it. With that kind of dedication, I will move on from the rut that I am in. With that kind of motivation, I will be able to do anything that God asks of me. Today, I'm thinking how will I stay away from the things that tempt me. I suppose this is my answer. If I'm constantly seeking God, how would I have time to do the things I struggle with. I just need to constantly be thinking about him. I need to be constantly praying for the desire to know him on a more personal level. Maybe, I should start a prayer journal. I would like to start these habits now so that when I go to college they will be unbreakable! It will be great!
Anyway... I just want to praise God for doing everything for me! I really want to learn more... I just need the constant motivation!