Join us in the Project 345 reading plan as we read through the New Testament.
Context: Paul has been encouraging the church in Thessalonica through hardship.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Observations: In my own words… regardless of the situation, God wants me to pray with thanksgiving and joy through Christ.
Application: I am learning a lot about prayer as I study John 17. This morning I am reminded to pray with a joyful heart at all times.
Is your prayer life driven by guilt or by rejoicing?
samholm.com 
Back in the days when traditional hymns told stories of faith or obedience, one that was often sung had the following words, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings, see what God has done,”
When we take the time to recall the numerous times that God has assisted us in our lives, then prayers of joyful thanksgiving become standard fare. But if we don’t recognize or acknowledge God’s assistance or blessings then we may have a strained or more distant relationship with God and this effects our prayer lives.
While we might have difficulties getting a governor, congressman, senator or corporate executive to take the time to listen to us, as Christians we have unlimited access to the creator of the universe — and the creator of the universe wants us to talk with Him and express our thoughts, feelings and needs as well as our thanks to Him.
It is Satin who tells us we are sinners and unworthy to pray but Jesus Christ took care of that on the cross for by His blood, the sacrifrical lamb of God, openede the way for us to pray and have the constant, continuing direct relatoinship with God, the universe’s creator. JohnK