YES to Constant Prayer
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Our Father, the God who hears
every whisper and receives every prayer,
we thank you for the call to rejoice always,
to pray without ceasing,
and to give thanks in all circumstances.
Thank you that constant prayer is not a burden to us,
but an invitation to continue in fellowship with you.
And so now we ask for more and more
of that continual fellowship and union.
Today we say yes to a life of constant prayer.
We will rejoice always. We'll pray nonstop.
We'll find ways to give thanks in all circumstances,
even in the worst ones.
Holy Spirit, we ask for the strength and insight
to see your hidden reasons
and the power to praise the Lord
while we're in the eye of the storm.
God, we say yes to pray always,
yes to communion, to conversation with you,
to stay connected to your Holy Spirit
throughout the day.
As your disciples asked Jesus, we ask you
to teach us to pray. We're asking you now.
Teach us to pray in moments of stress,
in moments of joy, in moments of silence
and in moments of uncertainty.
Make prayer our first love and spiritual instinct
and not our last resort.
Help us become advocates to ensure
that your church is a house of prayer.
Fill our hearts with gratitude so profound
that thanksgiving becomes our lifestyle.
Holy Spirit, be our breath, be our rhythm
and our continual guide as we pray to the Almighty.
Help it to make sense when it doesn't make sense.
Father, we say yes to prayer all day and every day
in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
We believe and say,
Amen.
