Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; this God’s will for you in Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
God wants us to pray; that is His will for our lives. It is tempting to rattle off a quick prayer and carry on with your day. But is that meaningful prayer? Are you honouring God in the way you pray?
Consider this: The Creator of the universe, the Heavenly Father, wants to have a close relationship with us. He is the God who is with us, and He deserves our time and attention. God wants us to spend time with Him and listen to Him. So how do we pray in a meaningful way?
1. Silence the chatter
Sometimes, it is hard to be still and concentrate on God when you have a constant chatter of worries and fears running through your mind. Don’t let that deter you! Instead, find ways to help you focus on God. For example, you can sing or listen to a song of praise to start your time of prayer to help you focus on God; praise and worship draws our attention to God and changes the atmosphere around us.
2. Remember to Whom you are praying
When we pray, it is important to remember to whom we are praying. Take some time to thank God for the good things He has done in your life before you present your needs before Him.
3. Pray with faith and expectation
Pray with persistence and expectation, believing that God can and will answer your sincere prayers. He may not answer them in the way you expect or when you expect, but you can rest in the assurance that He will answer your prayers. Jesus gives us this assurance in Matthew 17 and Mark 11:
Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Matthew 17:20
Believe, and pray in faith. What is the point of praying if we do not believe God can answer our prayer? Therefore, pray with faith and expectation.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:24
Therefore, when you come to the Lord in prayer:
Silence the chatter, and praise Him for He deserves all honour and glory.
As you pray, remember who He is, and in all things, give Him thanks.
Go with a heart of expectation that you are going to meet with your Saviour.
Talk to Him. Be with Him. Approach Him with gratitude.
Be blessed by Him.