Pray Without Ceasing
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of praying without ceasing, giving thanks in everything, and cultivating a loving consciousness of God's presence in all aspects of life.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of continuous prayer and gratitude in the Christian life, highlighting the will of God for believers to pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances. She encourages a lifestyle where prayer is not limited to specific times but permeates every aspect of our day, leading to a deep sense of peace and a constant awareness of God's presence. Tileston stresses the significance of heart's prayer, which involves a continual love for God, trust in Him, submission to His will, and attentiveness to His voice within our conscience.
Text
Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:17,18
AS Thou, Lord, an immortal soul
Hast breathed into me,
So let my soul be breathing forth
Immortal thanks to Thee.
JOHN MASON
LET us not be content to pray morning and evening, but let us live in prayer all day long. Let this prayer, this life of love, which means death to self, spread out from our seasons of prayer, as from a centre, over all that we have to do. All should become prayer, that is, a loving consciousness of God's presence, whether it be social intercourse or business. Such a course as this will ensure you a profound peace.
FRANÇOIS DE LA MOTHE FÉNELON
How are we to fulfil our Lord's injunction, "that men ought always to pray, and not to faint"? By the heart's prayer, which consists in a constant habitual love of God, trusting, Him, submitting in all things to His will; and by giving a never failing heed to His voice, as heard within the conscience.
JEAN NICOLAS GROU
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Continuous Prayer
- Living a Life of Prayer
- Fulfilling the Lord's Injunction
- Heart's prayer through constant habitual love of God
- Giving heed to God's voice within the conscience
Key Quotes
“So let my soul be breathing forth immortal thanks to Thee.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“Let this prayer, this life of love, which means death to self, spread out from our seasons of prayer, as from a centre, over all that we have to do.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“By the heart's prayer, which consists in a constant habitual love of God, trusting Him, submitting in all things to His will; and by giving a never failing heed to His voice, as heard within the conscience.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to pray without ceasing, even in the midst of daily activities.
- Cultivate a heart of gratitude by giving thanks in everything, no matter the circumstances.
- Seek to live a life of prayer, where every aspect of your life is infused with a loving consciousness of God's presence.