The info in this post may be rudimentary for some, but I believe that this is exactly what God wants to focus our attention on as we move into the new year.

I pray that as you read this you will be stirred toward a more intimate relationship with our Abba Father.

‭In 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16‭-‬18,‬ ‭the apostle Paul instructs the Thessalonian believers to, “Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.”

I grew up hearing the words of these three verses, but ‘never stop praying’ was the most popular of the three. In fact, it was often said in KJV language, “…pray without ceasing….”

To be honest, it often confused me because it seemed a bit much to be expected to be praying all the time, at least in the context of what I understood to be prayer. I perceived prayer to be those moments when I would kneel and ask God for specific things. Sometimes it was for him to bless me, my family, my friends, and the rest of my sphere of influence. Sometimes it was a request for healing. Sometimes it was a request for provisions or an open door. That for me was praying.

As I grew up in my Christian faith, I learned that prayer was talking with God, but doing that continuously still didn’t seem logical.

Fast forward to today when I understand that prayer is communicating or communing with God. So praying without ceasing simply means being in constant communication or communion with God.

For those who view constant prayer as a daunting task, I want to assure you that it is very possible and very rewarding.

For those who understand what prayer is, but don’t do it consistently, I want to assure you, as well, that it is very possible and very rewarding.

I have learned to converse with (talk with and listen to) God consistently. This is how direction and wisdom are received. ‭‭Acts‬ ‭17:28‬a ‭says it perfectly; “It is through him that we live and function and have our identity”.

Many people, even believers stumble through life in search of purpose and direction. They move from church to church seeking desperately to know the will of God for their lives.

If you are a part of that group of people, pause and ask the Holy Spirit to bring your search to an end, by making your calling crystal clear within the next couple of weeks, as you apply the principles included in this article.

God the Holy Spirit has been given to us as our guide and counselor. Isaiah 30:21 says, “Your teacher (the Holy Spirit) will be right there, local and on the job, urging you on whenever you wander left or right: “This is the right road. Walk down this road.”” We learn what the Holy Spirit is teaching us through prayer.

Prayer may be as simple as spending time silently waiting in God’s presence and listening to what He says. In September, Quiet Confidence started ‘QC Moments’ to facilitate times of intentional stillness before God. We will resume on the 3rd Thursday in January.

I encourage you to develop the habit of setting aside time daily to wait in God’s presence. It may be early in the morning before your day officially begins, or at some other time when you can have some uninterrupted time.

God speaks to us, but we hear Him when we listen. If you can, I want to encourage you to pause right now and pray this prayer: ‘Abba Father, I wait in your presence now. Teach me to hear your voice speaking to me, so that I may know your purpose for me in 2024.’

The Holy Spirit also speaks to us via gentle promptings, and in dreams and visions, thus requiring us to be sensitive to, and aware of His presence.

God also speaks to us through His word. Christianity is based on faith in the finished work of the cross. We believe that the Bible is God’s message book to us. When we spend time reading His word, the Holy Spirit helps us to understand what He is saying to us.

It’s important to stress that intentionality is a key factor in your quest to ‘pray without speaking’, however, we must never ignore our Abba Father’s role in helping us to accomplish that goal, which is no doubt pleasing to Him. Remember that Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.”

I pray that this new year will be one in which you walk fully in God’s plan and purpose for your life. I pray that you will grow by leaps and bounds in your relationship with Him, as you intentionally spend time in His presence. In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.

If you’ve never asked Christ to be Lord of your life, please pray this prayer. ‘Lord Jesus, I am sorry for my sin please forgive me, cleanse me, and make me your child. I commit my life to you today and ask you to be my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, amen.’

We would love to hear about your journey, and if you just became a child of God, we have some resources to share with you. Please leave a comment or use the Contact Us form to connect with us.

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