1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV
17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV
17 pray continually,
We often teach about developing a worshipful attitude that we foster and maintain each day.
It is so important for believers to attain a worshipful attitude in our daily life, if we desire to grow spiritually and walk closer with God.
Part of this worshipful attitude, a subset if you will, is a prayerful attitude.
Paul tells the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing” or “pray continually.”
We all know how difficult it would be in our daily life to do nothing but pray. Not only difficult, but impossible.
So, what did Paul mean? How do we do as Paul instructed?
Simply put, as part of our worshipful attitude, we must have a prayerful attitude.
It is part of the process of keeping God in our minds at all times, throughout the day.
Of course, we are going to be doing our jobs and focused on other things, but with a worshipful and prayerful attitude, God is always, albeit subconsciously at times, on our minds.
With a worshipful and prayerful attitude, we will carry out all of our activities with a sense of God’s presence.
Jesus Prayed
If it was important for Jesus, the Son of God, it is VITAL for us.
Again, if it was important for Jesus, the Son of God to pray, it must be vitally important for us to pray.
Luke 6:12 NIV
12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
A Prayerful Attitude
Think about the multitude of things that we should be thankful for. Every hour or so, for say 30 seconds, lift your heart and soul in prayer, thanking God for something.
Prayer is not just about asking God for something or thanking God for something, it is also a function of praise. Every hour or so, for about 30 seconds, lift your heart and soul in praise of God.
You do not have to speak audibly.
You do not have to bow your head, or kneel.
Simply "bow your heart" and speak to God.
These silent prayers do not have to be long or elaborate. They can be only 30 seconds long, but they must be from the heart.
A prayerful attitude is a constant connection with God.
Where Do We Start?
To develop a prayerful attitude, begin by placing reminders where you will be during the day.
At work, place sticky notes where you will see them, simply saying “recite the Lord’s prayer” and each hour or so, do this.
At home, place reminders in different places that you might be during the day.
As you make a habit of reciting the Lord’s prayer, in time you will find yourself adding another line or two of "your own prayer."
Before long, this will become a habit, no longer needing the reminders.
In fact, if for some reason you are unable to do this for part of a day, you will know it and feel the effects.
Believe me, it becomes a habit if practiced and once it does, you will feel a void inside if you fail to spend your day in a worshipful/prayerful attitude. You will know that something is missing.
A prayerful attitude, as part of our worshipful attitude is transformative.
We will walk more in the Spirit each day, feeling the presence and power of God.
Believe me, if you make this part of your daily life (a habit), you will draw closer to God and it will transform your spiritual life.
RVH