HOW THEN SHOULD WE PRAY? – “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING”

As we continue to ponder upon the theme “HOW THEN SHOULD WE PRAY?” let us look at “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING” for our meditation this morning. The apostle Paul, writing to the early gentile Christians at Thessalonica exhorts them to “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.”
– “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Praying without ceasing or unceasingly is a very radical and never heard of approach to prayer. Prayer per se is communication with God Almighty. In simpler and easy to understand terms, it is “talking with God.” Amplified version of the Bible gives us a more clearer picture of what Paul writes here – “be unceasing and persistent in prayer;” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

I say this idea to “be unceasing and persistent in prayer;” is radical and unheard of concept because, both in Jewish and Gentile understanding, one has to go to the physical temple where God dwells, and then we offer our prayers. This is the established and meticulously practiced pattern of worship and prayer world over. If we were to literally follow what the apostle Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, one has to be in the temple all day and night, never leaving its premises. A difficult situation to imagine such a scenario.

Applying God given common sense, we can deduce that the LORD Jesus is not asking us to literally stay in the temple or Church all our lives. Neither is it to mean, as Christians, to do nothing else except, but to keep on praying and praying and praying all our lives. So  how then should we understand what the Word of God says? So, what then is it actually to “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING?”

Berean Study Bible commenting on 1 Thessalonians 5:17 observes the following.
– “The phrase “without ceasing” suggests a continual, persistent attitude of prayer. This does not mean praying every moment of the day in a literal sense, but rather maintaining a constant awareness of God’s presence and a readiness to communicate with Him throughout daily life. The Greek word used here, “adialeiptos,” implies a recurring action, much like a persistent cough. This reflects a lifestyle where prayer is integrated into every aspect of life, echoing the call to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions” (Ephesians 6:18).” – Berean Study Bible Notes

Here under are a few Bible verses to help us gain a clearer and deeper understanding about praying without ceasing or to PRAY UNCEASINGLY.
– “​1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,” – Luke 18:1
– “2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;” – Colossians 4:2
– “12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;” – Romans 12:12
– “18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—” – Ephesians 6:18
– “17 Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice.” – Psalm 55:17
– “​1 O LORD, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You. 2 Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry.” – Psalm 88:1-2 

The LORD wants us to constantly be in communion with Him through prayer. *Such a prayer is an unbroken chain that hold us close to God, and keep us connected to the Omniscient power source of a Christian.” The whole intention behind what is written in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 is to pray to the LORD our God always, at all times and in all situations, because God cares for us, and is eager to hear us pray to Him.

May the LORD Jesus help us see the true meaning and purpose of prayer. May the LORD Jesus help us know and practice prayer unceasingly. May the LORD Jesus bless us and enable us to be people who pray unceasingly. Even so, the LORD help us.