About the Book
Prayer is vital for the Christian and for the Church. Prayer is also difficult, demanding, and constantly waylaid by the Christian's and the church's ancient foe. The high cost of prayer in terms of surrender of life, commitment of time, and the sacrifice of spiritual and physical energies often cause even the best of Christians to reallocate prayer to secondary importance. This lack of praying might be understandable and possibly acceptable if the cost of prayerlessness were not so eternally high.
The believer's life and all Christian endeavors are dependent for their success to a large extent on prayer. Christians may live and labor faithfully and it is all for naught without God's involvement, and God's involvement is secured only by prayer (James 4:2-3; John 15:7). Prayer secures the blessings of God on every area of life and ministry of the church. Although it cannot take the place of other ministries, without prayer other ministries are doomed to failure. God, therefore, commands believers to pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18).
Despite certain knowledge of the vital necessity of prayer, it will not naturally occur in the life of a Christian nor in the life of a church. Prayer is an unseen work or ministry. Because of this, it is often sacrificed for more seen needs. Even when prayer becomes a disciplined and vital part of the life of a Christian and a church, it can become somewhat rote and ritualistic even from sincere prayers. This means of developing a relationship of intimacy with Jesus Christ and maturity as a believer is thus in constant danger of eroding away.
Prayer can be boring, ritualistic, and repetitious instead of fresh, alive, and invigorating. The busy-ness of a twenty-first century Christian's daily life and a church's full, demanding, and rushed program exert incessant subtle influences that push prayer off to the side. Because fervent prayer is in constant danger of deterioration, and being persuaded of its vital importance, the development and implementation of a method for strengthening the Christian's personal and the church's corporate prayer life and ministry, is necessary.
Dear believer, let us, therefore, determine anew to enter into the presence of our Lord Jesus and develop the intimacy of relationship that will carry us through the barriers to prayer as well as the difficulties of life. Once again surrender yourself afresh and continue your journey into prayer.
Without Ceasing is a study of discipleship through prayer, by oneself or in a group setting. This book is designed to assist in the development of an intimate, personal relationship with God by learning how to enter into His presence, recognize His voice, and respond to His will. God desires to commune and to communicate with His people concerning their daily situations and needs so that He might make their joy full (John 15:11; 1 John 1:4). Prayer is vital to establish, continue and deepen this relationship.
As you work your way through Without Ceasing, you will learn how to walk with God, how to have a meaningful prayer life with God, and how to use prayer to advance the Kingdom of God.
To assist small group study, the book has been divided into nine sections which may be assigned week by week or chapter by individual chapter. Begin each chapter by reading the "key verse" and asking God to open up His Word and make it real and alive. Then read the verse again out loud and begin the study.
As you go through your prayer journey these next few weeks, my prayer is that a renewal and revitalization of not only your prayer life but your life in Christ will occur.
About the Author :
DR. DENNIS DAVIDSON served as an International Missionary for 11 years and continues to make mission trips to foreign countries. For more than 22 years, Dr. Davidson served local church pastorates in Maryland, Louisiana, and Tennessee. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. Dennis and his wife Lori are the parents of four adult children and live in Knoxville where he ministers as a chaplain at Shannondale Retirement Community. Lisa Soland is senior editor of the play publishing company, All Original Play Publishing, with the newest titles Sergeant York: The Play, Born Twice and 30 Short Plays for Passionate Actors, as well as Climbing Angel Publishing, with the newest titles By Faith, written by Sam Polson, and Without Ceasing by Dr. Dennis Davidson. As an author and playwright, she has over 50 International publications.
Review :
"Prayer is a distinctive mark of a disciple of Jesus Christ. It is also one of the most challenging disciplines in our lives. Without Ceasing is a refreshing, convicting, helpful, practical, and personal book that WILL help you live a more faithful and vibrant life of prayer and be a more faithful disciple. This book brings some of the giants of prayer to the reader in such a practical way. The author makes this book intensely personal because he is a man of prayer and he is a man who has sought the presence of God throughout his life. Read this book. Teach this book. Delight yourself in the truths this book presents and you will treasure even more the presence of God."
-- Mark McClellan, J.D.; Ph.D. Ethnic Evangelism Specialist, Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma; Professor of Christian Studies, Oklahoma Baptist University
"My former missionary colleague, Dr. Dennis Davidson, offers us keen insights into the theology and practice of prayer. Written by one who obviously both understands the dynamics of prayer from a scriptural perspective and from lessons learned as a devoted practitioner, Dennis has given us a simple but rich gift for improving our practice of the spiritual discipline of prayer."
-- Hayward Armstrong, Ph.D. Director of Master of Christian Studies, School of Theology and Missions, Union University
"My friend and brother in Christ Dennis Davidson has written a useful resource on prayer that provides instruction and encouragement not only for those who are new to prayer but also for those seasoned in conversation with God. He draws together words of insight about the Biblical nature of prayer and couples it with practical helps for the journey of prayer. Davidson's words come not only from research but from his own personal time with the Lord. His prayers flow from a heart that is intimate with Christ, making prayers an ongoing conversation rather than a daily event."
-- Rev. Dave Thomas, Buffat Heights Baptist Church
"Dr. Dennis Davidson has provided a helpful book for disciplined prayer guided by Biblical revelation. Without Ceasing delves deep into the dynamics of prayer as an intentional labor of devotion that must be cultivated according to holy design."
"Beyond the expected church jargon and well-known verses is the sharp focus on the act of hearing. Prayer is often misunderstood as monologue when the reality is dialogue. Rather than passively listening, Davidson has accented prayer as active listening that is front-loaded into the conversation. In fact, the believer prepares for prayer, striving to hear the Word before endeavoring to apply the Word. When prayer is embraced as a life-long task, the desired results shift from any personal benefit to the eternal blessings. As such, Davidson points readers to the unity and harmony of a life bathed in prayer, at peace in the presence of God and at work in the will of God."
"Without Ceasing is Christ-centered and free from tangents into psychological clichés, cultural cul-de-sacs, or self-help bargains. Instead, prayer is presented as a human response to the divine grace which transforms and redeems. A Christian cannot remain silent in testimony prayer, and this book guides the conversation."
-- Daniel E. Hatfield, Ph.D.
