"Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18, MEV).
“Pray without ceasing” means to pray with persistence and constancy. When the Bible says we should pray without ceasing, it doesn't mean we should always be whispering prayers over and over again (see Matthew 6:7). In fact, the expression “pray without ceasing” simply teaches that we should maintain regularity in our prayer life (see Luke 18:1–8). We must not allow our attitude and disposition to prayer to be wavering.
As with any friendship, your relationship with Jesus will be strengthened if you communicate with Him openly and often. This is the essence of prayer: communicating heart to heart with the Lord.
How to develop a prayer life:
- Prepare the environment: Organize in a way that the place is pleasant to spend some time in prayer.
- Set a specific time each day.
- Read the Bible: Take a moment to read the Word of God.
- Confession: “When I kept quiet about my sin, my bones wasted away from crying all day long” (Psalm 32:3, NLV).
- Intercede for someone: Your prayer can help restore someone to God, so care about the people you know with love and pray for them.
"Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone happy? He should sing songs of thanks to God. Is anyone among you sick? He should send for the church leaders and they should pray for him. They should pour oil on him in the name of the Lord. The prayer given in faith will heal the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Tell your sins to each other. And pray for each other so you may be healed. The prayer from the heart of a man right with God has much power" (James 5:13–16).
“The greatest victories to the church of Christ or to the individual Christian are not those that are gained by talent or education, by wealth or the favor of men. They are those victories that are gained in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold upon the mighty arm of power” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 203).
“Prayer is heaven's ordained means of success in the conflict with sin and the development of Christian character. The divine influences that come in answer to the prayer of faith will accomplish in the soul of the suppliant all for which he pleads” (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 564).
You can experience this miraculous power that works in your life when God gives you solutions to your problems, courage, and strength to face adversity, as well as peace of mind, healing, forgiveness, love, and encouragement.
Cristiane Caxeta is the director of the Ministry of Women, the Ministry of Reception, and the Women's Wing of the Ministerial Association (Afam) of the Brazilian Northwest Union (UNoB) of the Adventist Church headquarters. She manages the activities of the denomination in the states of Acre, Rondônia, Amazonas, and Roraima.
This article was originally published on the South American Division’s Portuguese news site