1 Thess. 5:15-18; Psalm 100, Prayer and Thanksgiving

III. Pray without stopping (v17).

This command has some thinking of the bruised and bleeding Pharisees.  You know what we mean: highly religious folks that are constantly running into walls or other people because they go around with their eyes closed.  That, of course, is not the idea Paul has in mind here.  For one thing, prayer does not require us to close our eyes.  Furthermore, prayer is at its root fellowship and communion with God.  But it is also, at its root, dependence on God.  It is asking Him for what we need or interceding so as to ask for what others need.

Furthermore we believe the term ceasing has in mind that you do not quit praying for someone because you think they no longer need God’s help.  Note other ways the Apostle used this terminology.  He remembered without ceasing the faith, hope and love of the Thessalonian believers (1 Th. 1:3), giving thanks without ceasing that they had received the Word of God in truth.  He told the Roman Christians that without ceasing he made mention of them in his prayers.  So it is simple.  As we go throughout our days everything that comes up is an opportunity to pray, to depend on God by crying out for His help or wisdom or leading.

Consider some things that will prevent this kind of communion with God.

1.  Isa 43:22; 64:7: spiritual lethargy

2.  Hosea 7:7-10; James 4:2: self-confidence

3.  1 Peter 3:7: spousal conflict

IV. Say thanks in every situation (v18).

What a powerful statement: this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.  In everything.  This command usually leads every small group to some discussion: are we to give thanks for the troubles we have?  I would like to give you my take on that.  NO!  When I read the Psalms I do not see the psalmist giving thanks for his enemies.  It’s not that he does not see the value in having enemies.  But he is crying out to God to deliver him from his enemies.  He is reminding God how difficult is his life because of his enemies.  He is not thanking God for his afflictions.  But in those Psalms he is giving raise and thanksgiving to God for who He is and for the promise of the deliverance he asks for from his enemies.  And that, we believe, is the point here in our passage today.  There will always be something for which we can and must give thanks in the midst of our trials.  Take a hint as to what those things might be from one of the Psalms (100):

ü Give God thanks that He is real (100:3).

ü Give God thanks that He is good (100:5).

ü Give God thanks that His love endures forever (100:5).

Rejoice always!  And in everything give thanks!