The Power of Eternal Life
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. —1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
The chief thing we need for a life of unceasing prayer is to know that Jesus teaches us to pray. We have begun to understand a little of what His teaching is. It isn’t the communication of new thoughts or views, the discovery of failure or error, or the arousal of desire and faith, however important all this may be. Jesus’ teaching takes us up into the fellowship of His own prayer life before the Father. This is how Jesus really teaches. It was the sight of Jesus praying that made the disciples ask to be taught to pray. The faith of Jesus’ continuous prayer truly teaches us to pray.
We know why: He who prays is our Head and our life. All He has is ours and is given to us when we give ourselves completely to Him. By His blood, He leads us into the immediate presence of God. The inner sanctuary is our home; we live there. Living so close to God and knowing we have been taken there to bless those who are far away, we cannot help but pray.
Christ makes us partakers with Himself of His prayer power and prayer life. Our true aim must not be to work a great deal and pray just enough to keep the work right. We should pray a great deal and then work enough for the power and blessing obtained in prayer to find its way through us to men. Christ lives to pray eternally; He saves and reigns. He communicates His prayer life to us and maintains it in us if we trust Him. He is responsible for our praying without ceasing. Christ teaches us to pray by showing us how He does it, by doing it in us, and by leading us to do it in Him and like Him. Christ is everything—life and strength—for a never ceasing prayer life. Seeing Christ’s continuous praying as our example enables us to pray without ceasing. Because His priesthood is the power of an endless life—that resurrection life that never fades and never fails—and because His life is our life, praying without ceasing can become the joy of heaven here on earth. The apostle said, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV). Supported by never ceasing joy and never ceasing praise, never ceasing prayer is the manifestation of the power of the eternal life where Jesus always prays. —Andrew Murray
Journal:
· How much faith do I have in my prayers? Do I feel like God really hears and answers?
· Am I trying to accomplish my work through the power of prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit or through my flesh? How can I tell the difference?
Prayer: Father, perfect Your work in me! Bring me into perfect union with Christ, my Intercessor. Let Your unceasing indwelling make my life one of unceasing intercession and communion with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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