1 Thessalonians 5:17: Pray without ceasing

As I've posted before (see Feb 16 post), I've been reading/praying for pastors and their families. I have to say this is not always easy. I frequently have to pray for myself at the same time, to make my prayer genuine, to accept and love unconditionally, to not be judgmental, etc. I've known some pastors who need a lot of prayer....at least from where I'm standing, so I need to refocus and try to understand that pastors are people too, having the same issues as I have including some I'll never have. Some pastors (and people in general) are better at showing love and compassion to the rest of us. It is hard to not expect more from pastors that I expect from others. I am sorry for that in myself and have to pray daily that I become more helpful and less negative.

Well, today's passages for praying for pastors includes 1 Thes 5:17 and Acts 1:14. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 is short but packs a big punch; pray without ceasing. Acts 1:14a states "All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer". Imagine that. Everyone praying with one heart/mind continually. If we (Christians) were to pray continually, without ceasing and with one mind, what could be accomplished? But on a smaller scale, what if I prayed without ceasing with one accord with the pastor and his/her goals for ministry? It is beyond my imagination what the results could be. God magnifying the outcome. Oh My.

I want to comment about pray without ceasing. I do not believe this passage means that we are supposed to be on our knees 24 hours a day 7 days per week all year long for as long as we live. I think it means we are supposed to be mindful of God so that all our thoughts and actions reflect prayerful intentions, in mind with God and His glory. If I seek God's glory, if I seek things that will bring God glory, if I pray for people to bring God glory, and I do this continually as reflected in my actions, words, etc, then I am praying without ceasing with one accord with the messages from God as written in the Bible.

Father, please help me to be in prayer continually, that my thoughts and actions reflect prayerful consideration, that I be in one accord with other Christians as we strive to be in one accord with Your will for us. I need a lot of help with this as well as help praying earnestly for pastors. I ask forgiveness for my stubbornness and ask for your assistance overcoming it. In Jesus' holy name, AMEN.

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