Praying Without Ceasing
Today’s Verse:
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; ~Colossians 1:9
There are things we do every day that we take for granted: things that we do that are without ceasing. We breathe without ceasing. Our heart beats without ceasing. We blink our eyes without ceasing. We think without ceasing. Some of us probably talk without ceasing. These are continuous practices we do that we seldom think about as being important functions of life. Paul encourages us about a practice that we must do continuously that has a very beneficial product: praying without ceasing.
We see the routine.
“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you.” From the moment of his salvation, Paul was a man of prayer. When the Lord sent Ananias to Paul with a message, He told him that he would find Paul praying (Acts 9:11). Paul prayed for the churches he had started or had a part in their spiritual growth. When he mentions his prayers for them, he almost always states that he prayed for them without ceasing. His praying was a repeated practice. He had specific things that he prayed for these believers and friends. His praying was a recurring practice. The idea of praying without ceasing means it was recurring. He prayed daily and, perhaps, several times a day for his friends. His praying was rigorous. He prayed with fervency and great intensity that every man would stand perfect in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:28). He had a disciplined routine.
We see the request.
“And to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;” His request for them was specific. How many of us are vague in our praying and only ask God to bless and watch over others? Not that this is bad, but biblical praying demands that we are specific. “Ask, and ye shall receive”! His request for them was spiritual. He prayed for them to be filled up with a thorough knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and understanding. Perhaps the greatest need of our faith is having wisdom and understanding of God’s will for our life each day, for the remainder of our days. “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” When we are in God’s will, we are where we are supposed to be. God’s will is God’s best for our life.
We see the result.
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.” Paul knew that every believer battles with his flesh, Satan, and worldly pressures every day. So, Paul prayed that we would be pleasing to God, be productive for God, have the power of God, and have the patience of God. Praying without ceasing has an objective: that those we pray for would have maximum results each and every day. Praying without ceasing sees the opportunity: focused, fervent praying for others is the key to churches having great influence in their areas and spreading the gospel throughout the world.
The missing element in our prayer life is praying without ceasing. May we align our praying to follow Paul’s model so that we can see fruitfulness in the lives of others.
Have a prayer-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Kings 18-19