Essay by Dan

It has been my observation that 1 Thessalonians provides us with an interesting call to unconditional love and prayer for the people who surround us and the people we meet every day. Read this slowly and note the message from Paul — Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:15-18).

Rejoice always, not sometimes, not just when it feels good, but rejoice always. This is not the normal emotional response we usually postulate and execute when being mistreated. You might be wronged; you might be spurned; you might be in jail for a false charge. Yet, Paul says Rejoice!

And then comes the direction to ‘Pray continually’. About what? We are told to give thanks in all circumstances. for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Our directive is clear. We should do the right thing for everyone; even when you are not treated fairly. Huh? Find the joy you are looking for in your walk with Jesus, overlook the way you are being treated. Let God do his thing in you. Pray without ceasing. Diligently keep a continual disposition of thankfulness to God. We will have no time to be grumpy if we are continually praising and rejoicing with the Boss of all Bosses.

To ‘pray continually’ brings a sense of dependence upon God. Even when we are not articulating words (the Spirit is busy praying our thoughts) we know we are connected, he is listening, we are spilling out our heart, he is listening, even when we are not speaking consciously to God, there is a deep, abiding dependence on him in our message that represents the essence of our faith. I think – this gets at one of the core elements of a vibrant Walk with God. We are connected to Jesus by constantly communicating our feelings and observations. Any observation, we see it, we talk, we listen, we talk, unfiltered, clear, honest. Listen, talk. For me – this is an essential approach to stay out of harm’s way.

But please understand — we are better off if we do not always view prayer as a ‘jukebox’. What I mean by ‘jukebox’ is — we form a prayer request — we pray — and God plays exactly the song we asked for. Huh?  I think the reason we pray is to be sure he puts us in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing. We pray to be connected, corrected, encouraged, and directed. We pray for others with the same reasons — that they be connected, corrected, encouraged, and directed. We pray to become part of the solution (God’s solution) not part of the problem (our problem or somebody else’s problem).

When you move this way, the outcome becomes less important than a willing contrite heart. Never doubt that he is in control. Prayer is God’s way of bringing us to the right mindset. Never give up looking to him — wanting to be part of His solution. Come to him repeatedly during the day. Make your state of mind a ‘God focused attitude of gratitude.’  Make yourself available, willing to be directed, willing to be a part of God’s plan. Let God fill in the details. Leave the strategic planning to God, he is better at it than we are. People who function this way are in prayer do not need to set times for prayer. They just start talking in the morning when they get out of bed. Observing, thinking, listening, and talking. Reading scripture, more thinking, listening, and talking. This is not formal communication. This is inviting God into our self-talk, our internal thoughts, our inner sanctum. Let him be God!

The deeper truth — I hope you consider praying without ceasing for prolonged periods of time each day. If you find yourself with a little mental dead space – talk to God. Paul suggests we can enjoy continual communion with God (I Thessalonians 5:15-18). I think, after months of steady listening and talking with God, He will become our best friend.

I choose Jesus.