PRAYER AS A WAY OF LIFE

PRAYER AS A WAY OF LIFE

DECEMBER 18, 2024

TEXT: Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Today, we shall conclude our discussion on imbibing prayers as a way of life. We shall start by discussing various strategies via which prayers can become a significant part of our day-to-day life, as well as biblical examples of individuals who took prayer as a custom rather than a choice.

Strategies on How to Make Prayers a Way of Life

1. Don’t overwhelm yourself with huge hours for a start. Be faithful to those 15, 30, 40, 50 minutes for a while. Thereafter, you can advance to bigger goals, such as 2, 3, 4, 5, or more hours. Never pressure yourself. Also, if you find yourself lagging behind in your usual number of hours, don’t panic, but take prompt actions to rectify that.
2. Fashion out a prayer methodology that works for you. You may choose to split your prayer duration into different parts of the day. You may choose to go on a long streak of prayers. All in all, ensure you do what works perfectly for you and keeps you connected to heaven more.
3. Ensure you are accountable to someone who can keep you on your toes whenever you realize you are struggling with your prayer goals and targets.

Biblical Characters

1. Jesus: Jesus, all through His earthly ministry, was given to prayers at all times. There were many occasions when He would withdraw to lonely and quiet places in order to pray. (Luke 5:16).
2. Daniel: Daniel, as a prophet of God, never joked with prayers. Even when Darius the king was compelled by the satraps to sign a declaration that forbade prayers in the land, he still persisted in prayers and even increased the tempo, despite possible sanctions from the king. (Daniel 6:10). He constantly maintained his previous prayer routine of praying thrice daily.
3. Elijah: Elijah’s life was wholly given to prayers. He prayed that it would not rain for some years and thereafter, he prayed fervently that the rain be restored. He was a man who imbibed prayer as a customary way of life. (James 5:17-18).
4. Paul: Apostle Paul gave himself up to prayers. In fact, he urged us in our text for today to pray without ceasing!
5. Anna: She was a prophetess who gave the entirety of her life to prayers and worshipping God in the temple. After she lost her husband some years into her marriage, she remained a widow in the temple till the age of 84, worshiping God and leading a life of consistent prayers. (Luke 2:36-38)
6. Hannah: She prayed until she got her breakthrough. She was never tired, despite the tension around her, especially from Peninah, her rival wife. (1 Samuel 1:10-18)

The major gist from these characters is simply that prayers should be a priority in our lives, no matter the condition we find ourselves in.

SEARCHLIGHT
Prayer is not something we should deem as optional. It’s something that should be a full part of us, just like our breathing, feeding, bathing, and laundry. It should be a culture rather than a choice.

PRAYER
O Lord, give me a heart that yearns for You at every time, in Jesus’ Name.

BIBLE READING
Exodus 2-4, John 5

PST. MICHAEL OMOLE