Colossians 1:9
In Focus: Unceasing Praying
By Rev. Wellesley Ferguson

What should be our attitude to God our father when faced with challenges? The praying of the twenty faithful seekers in Hernhutt, 1727, and those after them have taught us what to do – pray without ceasing. We should pray to God about our struggles until we hear from him.

At times his response to us is determined by what is going on in our hearts. The Psalmist says, “If we regard iniquity in our hearts the Lord will not hear us (Psalm 66:18). Also, at times we may not hear from God because we do not pray in confidence (Hebrew 4:16). Sometimes, however, we do not hear from God in the way we expect him to answer us because our prayer is not in keeping with his will (John 5:14-15). As his children, we should pray persistently and constantly until we get it right with ourselves and with our Heavenly Father.

When our hearts are at the right place with God, and when we pray according to his will for our lives we will hear from God (Matthew 6:6). His immediate response may not be to our liking, as it may be yes, no, wait, or not at this time. Whatever his response is, we should not cease to pray. The essence of unceasing prayer is really about God hearing us, and we hearing God. Let us not give up in doing good [praying], for at a proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).

We are a praying church because prayer works for us. Let us lead the charge in standing up in prayer with the hurting. These persons have come from all walks of life, but one of the things they have in common is the need for prayerful support. COVID 19 and it’s far reaching impact on lives, communities and economies have posed a great threat to our well-being.

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus. Stand in his strength alone;
the arms of flesh will fail you,
dare not trust your own. Put on
the gospel armer, each piece
put on with prayer. Where duty
calls or danger, be ever
faithful there.”
– George Duffield

My prayer: Attentive God, in times like these we need you. May our hearts and minds be in prayer until we hear from you. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen