How Can We Pray Without Ceasing?
Learning to pray thoughout a day regardless of circumstances
Have you ever read something in the Bible and wondered how it would be possible? Perhaps there are a lot of things you’ve wondered about in the Bible, but I’m thinking of admonitions that seem impossible to do.
When someone asks if I take the Bible literally, I try to clarify what they mean by literal. The Bible is full of figurative language, language that has a meaning beyond its literal meaning or dictionary-based definition.
Some things Jesus said to do weren’t intended to be taken literally, like gouging out an eye when looking at a woman (or man) lustfully or cutting off your right hand if it causes you to sin (see Matthew 5:29–30). If we took this literally, then we’d know the truly honest believers because they’d only have one eye and one hand!
Praying without ceasing
When I first read the phrase “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and thought about what it meant, I realized this wasn’t to be taken literally. Or is it to be taken literally?
This phase is one of several admonitions at the end of the first epistle to the Thessalonian church —
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:16–22)
How does someone pray without ceasing? I mean, if it were taken ultra-literally, it would mean never eating or sleeping or doing anything else.
Okay, it should be obvious that the Apostle Paul didn’t intend that. But what does this phrase mean?
The idea of praying “without ceasing” is to pray continually. This means we are to pray throughout the course of daily life, regardless of circumstances and in all situations.
When you think about it, it’s very liberating.
The idea of praying “without ceasing” is to pray in a continual way.
Prayer free from form
Our prayer doesn’t need to follow some form or take place with a certain posture. It can be a few words spoken silently or a continuing conversation with God while driving.
Come to think of it, there’d probably be a lot less road rage if believers prayed more while driving in traffic and speeding along on a crowded freeway.
I believe there’s a place for more formalized prayer, and I prefer to kneel or bow when praying on my own. But I’ve said prayers while talking with people in various situations, asking for wisdom, discernment, clarity, or for peace in a heated discussion or tense situation.
I pray while reading the Bible and often say a quick prayer while teaching and preaching or while counseling someone. I recall many counseling sessions with people where I wasn’t clear how to advise or direct them spiritually. In those instances, I simply asked the Lord (silently!), “Lord, what should I say to them?” Thankfully, the Lord answered those prayers!
Sometimes I pray without words. I know God knows my heart, but I can’t formulate my thoughts into a specific prayer, or I don’t know how to pray regarding some decision, or how to respond to a situation I’m facing. The Apostle Paul seems to refer to this in Romans—
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)
Learning to pray
I remember an instance early on in my search for the Lord that helped me understand the nature of prayer. I was driving a station wagon full of people along a highway on the northern coast of California. It was the height of the hippie era, and I was spiritually lost but searching.
My girlfriend at the time was sitting next to me when a rear tire blew apart. I called out to God loudly as I struggled to gain control of the car as it swerved across lanes, and I tried pulling off the highway. Once stopped, my girlfriend turned to me and said, “He heard you and answered your prayer!”
It was a simple testimony of God’s grace and protection for both of us. I called out, and He heard me. He answered. It wasn’t a formal prayer, and I wasn’t a committed follower of Jesus. But God made it clear that He was near and attentive.
I’ve learned to pray without ceasing in various ways. I know I’ll learn more ways to do so as I continue to follow Jesus, becoming more intimate in my relationship with Him. I know He’s ever-present and attentive, but am I trusting Him in all things through each day?
Unceasing and continuing prayer is how we stay connected to the Lord along the way, as we walk with Him by faith.
Faith is a journey of trust and prayer.
What about you?
Have you learned to “pray without ceasing?”
What an excellent article. I especially love the insight that we can sometimes pray without saying a word because He knows our heart. Prayer is as much attitude as it is words. Thanks for sharing this brother!