“16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
As I continue my study of the word “praise” and was brought to a passage in James. I know, I just quoted from 1 Thessalonians, so what is the deal. Well I wanted to show the correlation between prayer and praise. Notice in the verse above that there is not a mention of praise, however that is exactly what is being said, “rejoice” and “give thanks”. And those are joined with the context of praying.
“13Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.” — James 5:13 (ESV)
Here in the book of James, both prayer and praise are mentioned in the same verse. I am to take on which of them is of need in the moment. I am to pray for and praise for. I am not to only be on one side of the isle.
As I look at the verse in James and place it with the verse in 1 Thessalonians, I see that whatever I do, I am to pray or praise continually. Speaking with God on my and others behalf regardless of the situation we are in. I am to lift up to the LORD and allow Him to do His work in our lives.
I have to remember that praise and prayer are similar enough to be considered the same in that both are versions of speaking to God. I am either asking for, praying, or rejoicing for, praising and each of them are directed at and to God. He is the one that will take action that is in accordance with His will. I am here in the world to reach out to Him and complete the work He has for me. In order to know that work, I must be speaking to Him.
What do you know about praise and prayer? Are you only really speaking to the LORD in one of the situations? What if you were to do as in 1 Thessalonians and “pray without ceasing”, knowing that prayer and praise are both speaking with the LORD?
Trevor's Thoughts 