Pray all the time
…pray without ceasing…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NKJV)
It’s not always easy to ask for help; just ask any man whether he asks for directions when he’s lost! We can be concerned that we are just bothering someone with our problems. or apprehensive about becoming a burden to others. Sometimes we might worry what others think about us if we ask for assistance. It can seem to us that the more we ask for help the more burdensome we become and the more irritated other people will be.
However, with God, the complete opposite is true: he is pleased, no – more than that – he is delighted when we ask for his help. As far as God is concerned, the more we ask the better it is. God wants to have a relationship with us and for any relationship to grow and mature there needs to be ongoing communication.
This was so from the very beginning. God created humankind in his image in order to have a relationship with us. Through prayer that relationship is nourished throughout our lives. There is an interesting verse tucked away in Psalm 50 where God says, “…call for help when you’re in trouble—I’ll help you, and you’ll honor me.” (Psalm 50:15 The Message). Here God gives us a direct invitation to pray to him in times of need.
Sometimes though, if not most of the time, we can have the view that the primary purpose of prayer is to solve our problems. Perhaps we need a different perspective. In the book of James we read, ‘Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds…’ (James 1:2 NIVUK). The trials and difficulties we face can be the catalyst that drives us to pray. God doesn’t want us to be like the car driver refusing to ask for help when he is lost. Rather he wants us to trust him, to rely on him and to seek his help in walking life in his direction. As we do that, and as we see that God is a real help to us, we will want to love and honour him and will find joy even in the midst of our trials.
Ultimately God wants us to build a relationship with him, and prayer has such an important part to play in this – every day. Let’s make it our goal to ‘Never stop praying.’ (1Thessalonians 5:17 NLT).
Prayer
Father, thank you for wanting a relationship with me. I’m sorry for all the times I’ve neglected that relationship by not talking with you. Help me to cultivate a close relationship with you through prayer which in turn will bring honour and glory to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Study by Barry Robinson
Barry Robinson is a Minister in Grace Communion International and is Regional Pastor for Southern England.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion International
Camberwell
The Salvation Army Hall
105 Lomond Grove
Camberwell
London
SE5 7HN
Meeting time:
Saturday 11am
Local congregational contact:
Barry Robinson
Email: camberwell@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church