First Thessalonians 5 Part 6 Instruction On How To Pray

Ceaseless prayer and expressions of thanksgiving. 

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18  Pray without ceasing. 18)  In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 

After encouraging us to joyfully worship the Lord, Paul pivots to address our prayer needs. 

The Holy Spirit guided Paul to remind us that we must pray frequently throughout each day. 

For those who are students or work in a vocational setting, this would mean having an attitude of always being ready to pray. 

The apostle instructs us to give thanks in everything because this is the will of God. 

This means to give thanks when life seems full of blessings and to give thanks when life is full of hardship.

Why should we give thanks when we suffer from a serious illness, or family problems, or financial challenge? Because this is God's will for us and we must trust Him by obeying. 

We must keep Paul's instruction on prayer together with how Jesus teaches us to pray.  

Jesus gave us a perfect pattern for prayer. 

Matthew 6:6-13  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7)  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8)  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9)  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10)  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11)  Give us this day our daily bread. 12)  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13)  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 

Jesus gave us a perfect model or pattern for prayer in order to instruct us how to pray. 

Personal prayer should be private prayer, free from distractions. 

Personal prayer should avoid repeating words or phrases without thinking about what we are saying to God.

Personal prayer should be made with full confidence because we know faith in Christ gives us ready access to the throne of grace (See Hebrews 4:14-16)

Each time we pray we ought to hallow the Father's name, seeking strength to live a holy life that reflects our holy God. 

Each time we pray we should pray for the kingdom of God to be established and for Christ to be seated on the throne of David.  

Each time that we pray we ought to ask for the will of God to be done on earth and in our life each day, as His will is done in heaven.

Each time that we pray we ought to bring our physical and spiritual needs to our Father, for He knows what we need and has promised to supply them. 

Each time we conclude our prayer we ought to express a doxology of praise and thanksgiving to our heavenly Father. 

Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. We must learn and apply what Jesus teaches about prayer, and then seek to pray as often as we can.

Praying without ceasing connects to our Lord's words that "Men ought always to pray and not to faint" (See Luke 18:1).

Cultivate an attitude of prayerfulness.

Romans 12:12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 

A Christian's steady supply of hope and necessary grace for enduring tribulation is connected to continuing to be ready to pray at all times for all things. 

Praying with the Holy Spirit's help, for the gospel to advance. 

Ephesians 6:18-20  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19)  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20)  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

Praying in the Spirit connects with the truth that the Holy Spirit comes alongside us as we pray, to help us, because we do not always know what we should pray for. 

The Spirit of God intercedes for us with groaning that cannot be uttered, helping us when we pray (See Romans 8:26).

In writing about prayer and the armor of God, Paul tells us that we should pray specifically for pastors, teachers and ministers of the gospel. 

We must pray for them to be enabled to freely preach truth and recall all that God has laid on their hearts to show us. 

Prayer for thanksgiving and open doors for the gospel.

Colossians 4:2-4  Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3)  Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: 4)  That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 

Paul wrote to the Christians at Colosse and instructed them to be vigilant and diligent in their prayer life. 

Prayers should begin with thanksgiving and gratitude toward God for all of His abundant provision for us. 

Prayers should be made often for our pastors, teachers and missionaries. 

We must ask our Lord to place open doors before them with many opportunities to preach the gospel, to evangelize the lost. 

Prayers for all those in authority with thanksgiving. 

1 Timothy 2:1-2  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2)  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 

Paul reminds us that we must offer intercessory prayers for kings, and all who are in authority over us, for policemen, politicians and parents. 

We are to give thanks to our gracious God. We are to pray specifically that we be allowed to live a quiet, God fearing life, marked by godliness and honest dealings with others. 

Watch and pray for the final days are fast approaching.

1 Peter 4:7  But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 

Peter reminds us that this present evil world is on a timer that is running out of time. 

At the moment of the Father's choosing, Christ will return at the rapture, to take His church home to heaven. 

We will enjoy the marriage supper of the Lamb, while the earth convulses unto the final judgments from God.

Knowing what is to come, we must live a life of sober reflection, and be His faithful witnesses until God calls us home.

May the Spirit of God use these simple truths to change how we think about prayer.

May The Spirit of God reignite and revive our hearts through prayer.

May we renew our efforts in prayer, seeking the will of God for ourselves and others.

Bob