Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians was written to encourage and reassure the Christians there.

 

*1 Thessalonians 5:16-17* - "Be joyful always, pray at all times (without ceasing) be thankful in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

 

Does this mean that I should devote all my time to praying and do nothing else? Sounds illogical, I’m sure our wives wouldn’t like that! Only our body organs works unceasingly e.g breathing, heart rate and so on and that too eventually will come to a halt someday when we finish our assignment here on earth.

 

"*To pray without ceasing*" means to have our mind in constant communion with God. A soul is a living being. This word is always a combination of two things: body plus breath. Therefore one cannot exist unless body and breath are combined. The Scriptures teach that we are spirit, we have a soul and live in a body. 

 

*Ezekiel 18:20* reads "The soul that sins shall die." Our soul consists of our mind, will, and emotion. The soul is our humanity that makes us feel emotions, thoughts and desires amongst other capabilities. This can be subject to human weakness and needs protection, purification and atonement of God. 

 

In the Old Testament, atonement is achieved by offering sacrifices according to God’s instruction. But the moment Jesus sacrificed himself, animal sacrifices became unnecessary. All we have to do now is “abiding in the Lord to enjoy his Life.” 

Prayer Point 1

Pray for our soul and the soul of our loved ones - that it will not to succumb to worldly orders and pleasures.

 

We must understand and realise that we have a spirit within us, which is our spiritual breathing organ. The reason we do not want to pray or may struggle to pray is that we basically do not employ our spirit in prayer.

 

Our spirit is closely connected to God. 

*Genesis 2:7* reads “Then the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.”

 

*John 4:24* reads “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in the spirit and truth. That brings me into another scripture in the book of *John 20:22* - "And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.“

 

*Prayer Point 2*

Pray that the Holy Spirit that dwells in us is activated to honour and glorify the Almighty Lord. Pray also for our loved ones that the Holy Spirit is awakened in them to guide and instruct their will, mind, and emotion.   

 

*1 Corinthians 6:19-20* - "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

 

Our physical body is interim and we need to protect and take care of it. The above scripture (1Corinthians 6:19-20) is a decree: To keep away from things that can harm our body.

 

*1 Corinthians 6:12-20* comments that our body is not our own, that we have been bought with a price, and therefore we should glorify God in our body and in our spirit, which are God's. Let’s use our spirit, soul and body to honour and glorify our one and only almighty Lord. 

 

*Prayer Point 3*

Invite the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and bring us to heights unimaginable as we worship the Lord, and fill our mind with only pure thoughts, so we can worship the Lord in spirit and truth, and come to God with a heart posture to receive His mercy.

 

*The Greatest Commandment*

Jesus replied, “This is the most important: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”

 

*Acknowledgements* 

Ps Lakers for giving me this opportunity 

Brother James whom I met briefly on Sunday morning prayer who spoke to me about spirit, soul and body.

 

*All glory to the Almighty.*