1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice, Pray, and Give Thanks

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB]

Paul is telling us to be joyful at all times. Everybody rejoices when he gets a raise at work. The Christian rejoices when his salary is cut. Everybody rejoices at the birth of a baby. The Christian rejoices at the death of a loved one. Everybody rejoices when they are healthy and strong. The Christian rejoices in the midst of a pandemic.

It doesn't make sense, unless you know why we rejoice. The Christian's joy doesn't come from circumstances. Our joy comes from the Lord. We rejoice in Him, in every circumstance. While the world frets and stresses about the CoViD-19 pandemic, we can rejoice, viewing it as a trial of our faith. James said;

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. [James 1:2-4 NASB]

You can remember to rejoice in the Lord at all times if you are praying to the Lord at all times. Paul tells us to "pray without ceasing". The Greek means to pray without intermission. In other words, there is no gap between "sessions" of prayer. There are no sessions. There is only constant, unceasing, prayer.

Of course you can't close your eyes, bow your head, and kneel in prayer all day, every day. But these things are only customs of prayer, not the prayer itself. There is great value in spending time alone in prayer with God. Jesus often went off to be alone in prayer. But, that is not the only kind of prayer there is. 

You can pray out loud. It can be faith-building to hear your own voice praying to God. You can also pray silently, in your mind. The Holy Spirit lives inside you, and He knows your heart and your mind, and He knows when you are praying with your mind. If you are quiet and listen, he will also speak into your mind. At its best, prayer is a conversation with God.

It is possible to pray all day, every day, without ceasing. It doesn't take an act of supreme effort, but is simply turning your mind to God. 

I think all of us have some kind on internal monologue. We are reviewing our day, or anticipating the day to come, thinking about the things we need or want, thinking about people we know and either like or dislike. And so on. We can discipline our minds so that the internal monologue becomes an internal dialogue with God. In Romans we are told;

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. [Romans 12:2 NASB]

Constant prayer, with constant joy leads to a heart of gratitude. Some people read this verse and interpret it to mean that we are to give thanks in everything, but not for everything. By doing so, they are short-sheeting God. Paul said;

always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; [Ephesians 5:20 NASB]

The grateful Christian is grateful for all things, even if it seems evil to us, we know that God is using it for our good. We are told;

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. [Romans 8:28 NASB]

God is not the author of pain and suffering. Jesus said;

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. [John 10:10 NASB]

Although He doesn't cause suffering, He uses it to help us grow, and perfect our faith. He takes what the enemy meant for evil, and He turns if for good. Therefore we give thanks, not only in everything, but also for everything.

Paul says that this is God's will. By "this" he means these three things; rejoice, pray, and give thanks. And do all three of these things, always.

If you can master these three things, then you can live a perfect Christian life.

My Lord God, I rejoice in You. I thank you that You have given me reason to rejoice always. Thank You that you work all things for my good. I pray for the grace to maintain the conversation of prayer at all times, without ceasing.