Pray Without Ceasing
Mike Johnson
I Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” This verse is in the midst of a series of short admonitions given by Paul near the close of the book of I Thessalonians. He had just said Christians should “rejoice always.” These two admonitions can be connected, as prayer often removes obstacles that stand in the way of joy. Another way to express it is “the way to rejoice evermore is to pray without ceasing.”
What does it mean to “pray without ceasing”? This admonition does not mean we are to engage in “nonstop” prayer; it does not mean that our lips are always to be moving. Vines, in his word studies, says that the word used here means “unceasing, without ceasing, is used with the same significance as the adjective, not of what is not interrupted, but of that which is constantly recurring . . . .” The Christian, therefore, is to be regularly involved in prayer. It is to be a regular part of his life.
Romans 12:12 says that the Christian is to be “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.” The NASB says, “devoted to prayer.”
How about you? Is prayer a regular part of your life? Or is it, instead, something you turn to only in the event of an emergency? If that is the case, then you are not “praying without ceasing.” Of course, prayer is a duty, but it should also be a great joy and privilege.