Human beings worship many people and many things. Throughout the history of the world, some people have worshiped inanimate objects, other people, or material possessions. None of these things, however, deserve our worship. Only God is worthy of our worship, and one way that we can worship Him is by talking to Him in prayer.
Throughout Scripture, we are invited to worship God through prayer. Indeed, prayer is an invitation. It is a gift. The God of the universe chooses to interact with us on a regular basis and wants to hear from us. What a privilege we have to come to God in prayer! Paul writes about this privilege in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Never stop praying." This command is so simple that we might be tempted to brush past it while reading 1 Thessalonians 5. Today, however, we will not brush past this straightforward yet profound command: "Never stop praying." There is never a moment in our lives when prayer is not essential. When we are happy, we should turn to God in prayer. When we are brokenhearted, we should turn to God. When we are in the middle of our daily rhythms of life and feel stuck on the mundane, we are invited to pray. This command calls us to consistently and regularly be in conversation with our Heavenly Father. He delights in hearing from us.
When asked if we want to pray more, I believe that the majority of us would answer that yes, we do want to pray more often and regularly. Unfortunately, not many of us will take steps to act on the desire to pray more. That does not have to be the case with us. Let’s choose today to be people who pray. Let’s pray at all times and in all circumstances about everything. The God of the universe delights in hearing from us, His children. May we worship Him through prayer every day of our lives.
Take some time to follow the teachings from Scripture today and worship God through prayer. When you pray, praise God specifically for who He is, the one true God and the creator of the world, and for all that He has done for you. Praise Him for being a God who loves and cares for His people.
Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.
4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.
9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Paul’s Final Advice
12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.
Paul’s Final Greetings
23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
25 Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a sacred kiss.
27 I command you in the name of the Lord to read this letter to all the brothers and sisters.
28 May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
