What does it mean to pray without ceasing?

Answer

Paul’s directive in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing” may be perplexing. Clearly, it does not imply that we must maintain a posture of head-bowed, eyes-closed all day long. Paul is not advocating for continuous verbal communication, but rather a mindset of being conscious of God and surrendering to Him that we carry throughout the day. Every moment we are awake should be lived with the awareness that God is present with us and actively involved in our thoughts and actions.

When negative thoughts arise such as worry, fear, discouragement, and anger, we are instructed to intentionally and promptly transform each thought into a prayer and every prayer into an expression of gratitude. In his message to the Philippians, Paul urges us to refrain from anxiety and instead, “in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” «Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. », (Philippians 4:6). He also instructed the believers in Colossae to be devoted “to prayer, being watchful and thankful” «Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; », (Colossians 4:2). Paul encouraged the Ephesian believers to view prayer as a weapon in spiritual warfare «praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; », (Ephesians 6:18). Throughout the day, prayer should be our initial response.

Response to every fearful situation, every anxious thought, and every undesired task that God commands. A lack of prayer will cause us to depend on ourselves instead of depending on God’s grace. Unceasing prayer is, in essence, continual dependence upon and communion with the Father.

For Christians, prayer should be like breathing. You do not have to think to breathe because the atmosphere exerts pressure on your lungs and essentially forces you to breathe. That is why it is more difficult to hold your breath than it is to breathe. Similarly, when we are born into the family of God, we enter into a spiritual atmosphere where God’s presence and grace exert pressure, or influence, on our lives. Prayer is the normal response to that pressure. As believers, we have all entered the divine atmosphere to breathe the air of prayer.

Unfortunately, many believers hold their “spiritual breath” for long periods, thinking brief moments with God are sufficient to allow them to survive. But such restricting of their spiritual intake is caused by sinful desires. The fact is that every believer must be continually in the presence of God, constantly breathing in His truths, to be fully functional.

It is easier for Christians to feel secure by presuming on—instead of depending on—God’s grace. Too many believers become satisfied with physical blessings and have little desire for spiritual ones. When programs, methods, and money produce impressive results, there is an inclination to confuse human success with divine blessing. When that happens, passionate longing for God and yearning for His help will be missing. Continual, persistent, incessant prayer is an essential part of Christian living and flows out of humility and dependence on God.