This week Ron reminded the body of our need for prayer as a substitute for the want for self-sufficency. We studied 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, pulling it into three parts as an application to prayer. First we unpacked the phrase, “Rejoice always,” learning that it is better understood as “Rejoice always in the Lord.” This does not mean Christians are incessantly happy, but incessantly hopeful, since God is always working out things for the good of His chosen people, even in the sufferings. Next we studied the command to “pray without ceasing.” This does not necessarily mean that we are constantly on our knees, but it is a mind-set we live out, always looking upwards. Two things this does for us: it protects us from temptation (Mark 14:38), and it keeps us alert (Eph. 6:18). Finally, we focused on “giv[ing] thanks in all circumstances.” When considering the almighty God and His wonderful works, all that is left is gratitude.
This is a wonderful model for prayer after one has considered traditional models such as the Lord’s prayer. Related to it, Christians can keep in mind the APTAT guide for Christian living put together by Pastor John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN. Praying is our communication with God. It’s part of our sanctification, and it glorifies the Trinity in our faith. It is an often overlooked hinge in Christian living that should consciously be addressed, “without ceasing.”
--Chris Ramos - C3 Student
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