LiVE in pRAyER/ LiVE in pEAcE / LiVE in puRity: LiVE in cHRiSt
“Truly my soul rests in silence before God; from Him will come my rescue. He alone is my Rock and my Salvation. He is my strong defense: I shall not be overcome.”
-Psalm 62:1-2
LiVE in pRAyER/ LiVE in pEAcE / LiVE in puRity: LiVE in cHRiSt
WHY I CREATED THIS PAGE
While updating this website, I wrote the words:
Live In Prayer / Live In Peace / Live in Purity: Live In Christ
When I read these words again a few months later, I realized that they were an accurate summary of my entire Christian life’s work and ministry. These words have helped me greatly to focus on my Christian walk, every day since.
I have been thinking about them before I fall asleep at night, when I first awake in the morning, and from time to time during each day. I examine and consider what can be improved in my life in each area.
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LIVE IN PRAYER LIVE IN PEACE
“Living in Prayer” is “praying without ceasing” through “practicing the presence of God,” and thinking our thoughts to God.
It is resisting negative thoughts: “Bringing every thought into captivity to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5), and replacing negative with positive thoughts:
“Whatever things are true…just…honest…pure…lovely…of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise: think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8).
LIVE IN PEACE
“Living in Peace” includes active resistance to anger, anxiety, worry, fear, and depression.
“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7).
Of course it also includes the active resistance to temptation and sin involved in “Living in Purity.”
LIVE IN PURITY
“Living in Purity” is to actively:
“Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16).
Active resistance to temptation and sin is necessary to avoid feeling temporary loss of the peace that has been given to us in Christ.
LIVE IN CHRIST
“Living in Christ” (dwelling in, abiding in) includes love for God and for others, being conformed to Christ’s image / growing in Christ, manifesting the Fruit of the Spirit; “abiding in Christ” in our thoughts, words, and deeds…bearing the fruit of influencing and leading others to Christ.
“Abiding in Christ” includes everything else:
To Live in Christ is to Live in Prayer, Peace, and Purity
For all of these things are interconnected, inseparable, and indispensable to: “Abiding in Christ.”
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I have posted these words throughout our website, in the hope that they will be of as much blessing to you as they have been to me. This entire page is the very briefest explanation of:
Live In Prayer / Live In Peace / Live in Purity: Live In Christ
My complete commentary on these words can be found in the totality of this website and all of my books combined.
-Lay Monk Preston
LiVE in pRAyER
“Rejoice Always. Pray Without Ceasing. In Everything Give Thanks. For This is the Will of God in Christ Jesus Concerning You.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
-The Apostle Paul (c. 5 A.D. – c. 64/65 A.D.) _______________________________________________________________________
“Thus will thought pray without ceasing: if thought prays not only in words, but unite yourself to God through all the course of life; and so your life be made one ceaseless and uninterrupted prayer.”
-St. Basil the Great (329-379 A.D.) Monk, Bishop
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Prayer is a precious way of communicating with God, it gladdens the soul and gives repose to its affections. You should not think of prayer as being a matter of words. It is a desire for God, an indescribable devotion; not of human origin, but the gift of God’s grace.”
-St. John Chrysostom (347-407 A.D.) Monk, Patriarch of Constantinople _______________________________________________________________________
“This then ought to be the destination of the Monk, this should be all his aim…to possess even in the body an image of future bliss, and that he may begin in this world to have a foretaste of…that celestial life and glory.
This, I say, is the end of all perfection, that the mind purged from all carnal desires may daily be lifted towards spiritual things, until the whole life and all the thoughts of the heart become one continuous prayer.””
-St. John Cassian (360-435 A.D.) Monk, Theologian _______________________________________________________________________
“I arise today through a mighty strength: the invocation of the Trinity. Through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness, of the Creator of Creation.”
“I prayed in the woods and on the mountain, even before dawn. I felt no hurt from the snow or ice or rain.”
-St. Patrick (c. 386-461 A.D.) Monk, Missionary Bishop, Apostle to Ireland _______________________________________________________________________
“We should not seek so much to pray, but to become prayer.”
-St. Francis of Assisi (1181/82-1226 A.D.) Preaching Mendicant Friar; Founder: Franciscans _______________________________________________________________________
“I cannot imagine how religious persons can live satisfied without the practice of the presence of God. For my part I keep myself retired with Him in the depth of centre of my soul as much as I can; and while I am so with Him I fear nothing; but the least turning from Him is insupportable.”
-Brother Lawrence (c. 1614-1691) Carmelite Monk Book: “The Practice of the Presence of God” _______________________________________________________________________
“This unction (anointing) is not the gift of genius. It is not found in the halls of learning. No eloquence can woo it. No industry can win it. No prelatical hands can confer it. It is the gift of God — the signet set to His own messengers. It is Heaven’s Knighthood given to the chosen true and brave ones who have sought this anointed honor through many an hour of tearful, wrestling prayer.
-E.M. Bounds (1835-1913) Methodist Minister; “Power Through Prayer” _______________________________________________________________________
“The first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day is to have my soul happy in the Lord.”
“I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk about, when I lie down and when I rise up. And the answers are always coming.”
“The joy which answers to prayer give, cannot be described; and the impetus which they afford to the spiritual life is exceedingly great.”
-George Muller (1805-1898); Founder: Christian Orphanages (for over 10,000 orphans); Founder: 117 Christian Schools (free to over 120,000 students); Founder: Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad (supplying Bibles and Christian Literature to Missionaries globally).
Author of several books; Co-Founder: Plymouth Brethren Movement (Church Pastor of, and Founder: Open Brethren Denomination); Philanthropist to World Missions (among them: Hudson Taylor and his China Inland Mission); Worldwide Evangelist from age 71-88, traveling over 200,000 miles, and preaching in more than 45 Countries.
All done by Faith and Prayer — never once asking for money. All total: Muller “prayed in” $113,000,000.00 in today’s money.
Best Book About — “George Muller: Delighted in God” by Roger Steer _______________________________________________________________________
“Prayer and helplessness are inseparable. Only he who is helpless can truly pray. Your helplessness is your best prayer. It calls from your heart to the heart of God with greater effect than all your uttered pleas.”
“If I were to continue to pray in words, I would have to repeat what I have already said. At such times it is wonderful to say to God, ‘May I be in Thy presence, Lord? I have nothing more to say to Thee, but I do love to be in Thy presence.'”
“Our prayer life will become restful when it really dawns upon us that we have done all we are supposed to do when we have spoken to Him about it. From the moment we have left it with Him, it is His responsibility.”
“As white snowflakes fall quietly and thickly on a winter day, answers to prayer will settle down upon you at every step you take, even to your dying day. The story of your life will be the story of prayer and answers to prayer.
-Ole Hallesby (1879-1961) Norwegian Lutheran Pastor (Nazi Concentration Camp Survivor); Author of the Book: “Prayer” _______________________________________________________________________
“I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping.”
–C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) Author: “Mere Christianity”
LiVE in pEAcE
“Abba Nilus once said, “Prayer is the seed of gentleness and the absence of anger.”
“Abba Isidore once told a Brother that ever since he had first become a Monk, he had tried never to let his anger rise as far as his mouth.”
-Sayings of the Desert Fathers _______________________________________________________________________
“Human anger does not produce the righteousness of God.”
-James 1:20 _______________________________________________________________________
“Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”
-1 Peter 5:7 _______________________________________________________________________
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace; patience, kindness, goodness; faithfulness, humility, self-control…Since we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
“And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
-The Apostle Paul (Galatians 5:22-24; Philippians 4:7) _______________________________________________________________________
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose mind is stayed on You, because they trust in You.”
-Isaiah 26:3 _______________________________________________________________________
“Therefore do not be filled with anxiety about tomorrow; for tomorrow will have enough worries of its own. Sufficient for each day are its own troubles.”
-Matthew 6:34
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
-John 14:27
LiVE in puRity
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”
-Matthew 5:8 _______________________________________________________________________
“Blessed is the man that does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”
-David? (Psalm 1:1-2) _______________________________________________________________________
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands…and purify your hearts…Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”
-James 4:7-8,10 _______________________________________________________________________
“Guard your heart with all diligence, for everything you do flows from it. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and do not let corrupt talk proceed from your lips.”
-Solomon (Proverbs 4:23-24) _______________________________________________________________________
-The Apostle Paul:
“Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.”
-1 Timothy 4:12
“This I say then: walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the desires of the flesh. For the flesh wars against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you cannot do the things that you would like to.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, wrath, strife, sedition, heresy, envy, murder, drunkenness, reveling, and such things…”
-Galatians 5:16-21
“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise: think on these things.”
-Philippians 4:8 _______________________________________________________________________
“But as He who has called you is holy, so be holy in your manner of lifestyle; because it is written, ‘Be holy; for I am holy.'”
-1 Peter 1:15-16
LiVE in cHRiSt
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, has made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved). And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
-The Apostle Paul (Ephesians 2:4-7) _______________________________________________________________________
“Those that say they abide in Him, ought also to walk even as He walked.”
-The Apostle John (1 John 2:6) _______________________________________________________________________
“The branch of the vine does not worry, and toil, and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain. No, it rests in union and communion with the vine; and at the right time, and in the right way, is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus.”
-Hudson Taylor (1832-1905) Founder: China Inland Mission Following George Muller’s example, all was done by Faith and Prayer — never once asking for money. In its time it became the largest Missionary organization in the world, supplying half of all Missionaries to China. Best Book About — “Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret” by Dr. & Mrs. Howard Taylor _______________________________________________________________________
“…you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.
And the second is like it, namely this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
-Mark 12:30-31; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18
“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever: even the Spirit of Truth; who the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him, neither knows Him.
But you know Him; for He dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. At that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.”
-John 14:16-18
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine; neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches: those that abide in Me, and I in them, the same bear much fruit: for apart from Me you can do nothing.
…If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done for you. In this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be My disciples.
As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you: continue in my love. If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken to you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
…This is My commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.
From this time forward, I do not call you servants; for the servant does not know what his lord does; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.
You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatever you shall ask for from the Father in My name, He shall give it to you.
This I command you: that you love one another.”
-John 15:4-5, 7-12, 15-17
By this shall all know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
-John 13:35
tHE GOAL Of EVERy cHRiStiAN:
…and then I suddenly came across my favorite Desert Fathers quote.
I had not thought of it for several months, but when I saw it again, I realized that my new “Live in Prayer” quote contained essentially the same meaning, but in a much more condensed form. Perhaps it had been internalized into my subconscious: _______________________________________________________________________
The End of Every Monk:
“The end of every Monk and the perfection of their heart
direct them to constant and uninterrupted perseverance in prayer;
and as much as human frailty allows,
it strives after an unchanging and continual tranquility of mind
and perpetual purity.”
-Desert Father Abba Isaac (Recorded by Monk St. John Cassian in his book: The Conferences; c. 420 A.D.)
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The Goal of Every Christian:
“Live In Prayer / Live In Peace / Live in Purity: Live In Christ”
“Be Holy, in Humility, with Love, Joy, & Peace.” _______________________________________________________________________
This teaching is directly from the Bible, summarized in four passages of Scripture:
“Live In Prayer”
“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Live In Peace”
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” -John 14:27
“Live in Purity”
“But as he who has called you is holy, so be holy in all manner of lifestyle; because it is written, ‘Be holy; for I am holy.'” -1 Peter 1:15-16
“Live In Christ”
“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; those that abide in Me, and I in them, bring forth much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” -John 15:4-5
“To Live in Christ is to Live in Prayer, Peace, and Purity.”
-Lay Monk Preston
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