Day 16: Why bother praying?

"Why bother? What's the point of trying?" These questions often haunt us in the aftermath of failure. Despite our best efforts, things just don't seem to go our way. It's natural to feel drained and disheartened after expending so much energy, especially when our prayers seemingly go unanswered for years.

Yet, 1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 offers a different perspective: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Let's delve deeper into the meaning behind "pray without ceasing." In Greek, it's αδιαλειπτως προσευχεσθε. The first word implies "uninterrupted," while the second word conveys "to wish, using one's words to state a specific desire," typically from a weaker person to a stronger one.

In this context, the emphasis isn't on trying to persuade God to grant our desires, but rather on aligning our hearts and minds with His will. It's about seeking freedom from anything incongruent with God's Word. When we pray in this manner, we're not merely seeking our own wishes but aiming to become attuned to God's desires.

Consider the example of praying for the salvation of a loved one. We know this aligns with God's Word, so we fervently pray for it. Yet, for other matters like a job promotion, the specific will of God is not always clear. While God desires our prosperity, He may have different plans than what we envision. Perhaps it's a promotion within our current job, or maybe He's leading us toward a new opportunity altogether, one that we might not have even imagined. When we pray with a focus on aligning our hearts with God's, He reveals areas where we need to realign with His Word.

So, as you pray today, I encourage you to surrender your desires and ask the Lord to align your heart with His. Trust that His plans are always greater than our own.

Dear God, forgive me for pushing my agenda when I should be all about yours. I pray that you bring correction and highlight the areas that need to come back into alignment with Your Word. Thank you for your loving kindness and faithfulness. Amen.