DAY 12 – WEDNESDAY – 12/3/2025

Reflection: Prayer is the Way of Life for Christians

Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
One of the common misconceptions about prayer is the belief that it is a special gift. Prayer is not a special gift, but rather a way of life for those who believe in Jesus
Christ. Being an intercessor is not just for certain individuals; it is for all Christians. Prayer does not make a person a “super Christian,” but it draws them into a closer and more intimate relationship with God.
The existence of certain groups that serve as intercessors is not a problem. However, if they begin to believe they are superior to others in prayer, that their prayers are
heard more than others, or if they become “exclusive” and fall into spiritual pride, then it becomes an issue within the church.

PRAYER IS NOT A SPECIAL GIFT! IT IS THE WAY OF LIFE FOR BELIEVERS!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 teaches us about the way of life for those who are united
with Christ Jesus. There are three commands in this passage that define the Christian way of life:

1. Rejoice always.
   Those who do not know and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior cannot experience true joy. All the joy in this world is temporary, but the joy in Christ is eternal. Knowing and believing that through Jesus’sacrifice on the cross we are saved from the punishment of sin and granted the assurance of eternal life—this is the
   source of a Christian’sjoy.
2. Pray continually.
   As Christians, we are called to pray because prayer is our way of communicating and dialoguing with God. When we pray, we are connecting with God and maintaining a personal relationship with Him. Prayer is a sign of our connection with the Lord. God desires all His children to come to Him in prayer. How can someone claim to believe in God and acknowledge Him as their Father, yet never pray or speak to Him?
3. Give thanks in all circumstances.
   We give thanks when we are happy, and we give thanks even in difficult times. It is this ability to be thankful in hardship that often confuses non-believers when they
   observe Christians. Believers do not give thanks for the hardships themselves, but for the fact that even in difficult times, God is with them and is glorified. Everything a
   believer does for the Lord is an expression of gratitude because He first sacrificed Himself for us on the cross. All of this is because of His love for us.
4. As believers, let us continue and grow even more in prayer. The more we pray, the closer our relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes. The closer we are to Him, the more He will open our eyes to see His wonderful works in our lives, families, churches, nations, and the world. Hallelujah! Praise be to God, the Creator of heaven, earth, and all that is in them. Amen.

Prayer Focus:
Praying for the Nation’s Leaders

1. Pray that the nation’s leaders will be given wisdom and discernment in making decisions that benefit the people and the country.
2. Pray that they will lead with honesty, transparency, and a strong commitment to integrity and moral values.
3. Pray for the leaders to have physical, mental, and emotional strength to carry out their responsibilities.
4. Pray that God’s will be accomplished through their leadership.
5. Pray that the leaders will have compassionate hearts for the people, especially the weak, poor, and marginalized.
6. Pray for God’s protection over the nation’sleaders.