Pray Always And Never Give Up

By C. J. Refsland on July 19, 2015 • ( 2 )

Photo ” Grace”, 1918
by Eric Enstrom
Courtesy of Commons.wikimedia.org

Jesus taught his Disciples to pray always and not to lose heart. We don’t need fancy flowery prayers. All we need is the word of God. Pray from your spirit and from your heart. Jesus tells us that God know’s your heart, He know’s if there is a space for Him there, He knows what your needs are before you even ask. So why pray? To keep the spirit of God alive in our soul’s that’s why. To unit as one body in Christ, to petition boldly before the Throne of God. Let’s look at what the Bible and Jesus taught about prayer.

If you have questions you can ask God to show you the answer, and He will. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Praying always with thanks in the Spirit. So pray from YOUR heart and spirit. When you pray with your spirit, and your heart you exhibit Faith. Faith and thanksgiving. Psalm 25 gives us a good picture of asking God to teach us, & what it’s like to pray in the spirit, and stay in tune with God.

Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy loving kindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Jesus’ teachings on prayer:

Luke 18:1-8

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (lose heart); Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Matthew 6:5-8

“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Luke 11:9

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 26:41

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 6:9-13

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Matthew 18:19-20

Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

So it doesn’t matter if your in church, if your driving, if your knee deep in kids toys, or at work, you can train yourself to stay in constant contact with God. I find myself throughout the day saying “thank you Lord” for everything that touches me. I find myself saying ‘help me Lord’ through the day’s problems. I also find myself remembering the persecuted, the sick the weak, the elderly and those lost to God. Doesn’t take but a second to do this. This is praying in the spirit, praying in unity with the Body of Christ, and seeking His presence in your life, this is praying in the Spirit. Letting the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts and your prayers, this is praying in the Spirit. If you get a sudden urge to pray for someone and you don’t know why, this also is praying in the Spirit. God know’s your heart, He know’s your requests, don’t lose heart, don’t give up, God does hear us! So when you think He is not listening, think again. He may not reveal to you what He has done to answer your prayer, or He may see things more clear than we do, remember we lean on His understanding and will, not ours.

To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing. Martin Luther

So pray for one another, especially in the times we live in today, pray for those facing persecution, pray for the Body of Christ so we won’t fall into the temptations of Satan to deceive us. Pray for Peace!

AND BOLDLY PROCLAIM: I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST!

C. Refsland

Credit to Bible Hub & Bible Wheel