In the Bible, we are clearly instructed to pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17), pray at all times (Eph 6:18), and pray for all people (1 Tim 2:1). But if we’re honest – do we truly live this out? I know I don’t always.
Pray Without Ceasing When I’m facing an important decision or asking God for direction, I often start by praying passionately for a few days, but then, my enthusiasm starts to fade. I get discouraged when it seems like God isn’t answering quickly enough. I want Him to respond on my timeline – not His. And when that doesn’t happen, I tend to give up.
One thing that has helped me is attending the Wednesday night prayer meetings. There, I’m able to share my requests and be supported by others who prayed alongside me. That weekly rhythm reminds me to keep going – to pray without ceasing.
Pray At All Times If you’re like me, you probably pray before meals, in church, during small groups, or right before bed. But what about when things get tough? Do we turn to God first in those moments?
Often, we seek advice from friends, consult the internet, or rely on our own strength. Prayer becomes our last resort instead of our first response. But God desires to be our first stop in every season – good or bad. Let’s make it a habit to turn to Him at all times.
Pray For All People It’s natural to pray for our family and close friends. I do the same. But Scripture calls us to pray for all people. That’s a much broader calling.
So how can we do that? A great starting point is our Wednesday night prayer gathering. There, we come together to lift up not only our personal needs, but also the needs of others in our community and around the world. It’s a beautiful way to live out that calling to pray for all people.
Let’s encourage one another to be people of prayer – persistent, faithful, and inclusive in how we pray. See you Wednesday night!
Deacon Ryan Loveday
