Praying Constantly Makes Us Better

Scripture:  Ephesians 5:18 (CSB) – Give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Thessalonians 5:16 (CSB) – Rejoice always, pray constantly, giving thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

Aren’t you comforted when you pray in times of distress, trials, frustration and even when you are tempted to sin?  Some think that we can just pray to the Lord and all of our problems will go away.  Many people say just name it and claim it.  You will get whatever you pray for.  Well, that’s surely not true.  That’s not the way it works.  We don’t know what’s best for us.  God has a plan and purpose for everything we go through in our lives.  He knows what’s best for us.  He knows the lessons He wants us to learn.  He knows the areas of our lives that need to change.

Prayer doesn’t always change our situation, or make our circumstance better, but prayer definitely changes us and makes us better.  Prayer helps to change our perspective on how we see God – what He causes/allows us to go through.  Prayer helps us to see that His grace is sufficient.  II Corinthians 12:9-10 - says And He said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities for persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.  As we learn to constantly pray and/or pray without ceasing, and asking the Lord to help us have victory over things that we are tempted of – putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6: -18), the less we will have to ask the Lord to forgive us. Prayer should be more preventive and less praying after we have fallen in temptation or are in trouble.  Proverbs 4:23 says Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.  We have to learn to be filled (yielded) to the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) and to walk in the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:16-17).  We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Romans 8:37).
I want to continue to grow in the things of the Lord!  I desire to do better  -- and not make excuses for sin.

Once a man was asked “What did you gain by regularly praying to God?”  The man replied, “Let me tell you what I lost:  anger, ego, greed, depression, insecurity, fear of the unknown and death. Sometimes the answer to our prayers is not about gaining but losing --  which ultimately is “the gain”!!

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  Thank You for praying/interceding for me.  I always need Your help.  Forgive me when I don’t apply Your Word in my life.  I want to do better. In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)