Pray without ceasing

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray without ceasing.

This verse seems to be simple enough. It is as direct and clear as any statement could be. It is clear as the sun. And yet, after all these years, we have not learned this verse! We have prayed with ceasing! Perhaps we have ceased our prayers altogether! And somehow we think that we are still obeying the Word of God. But this speaks of faithful, constant, unrelenting, importune prayer. Prayer is not something that you may start and stop at will. It must be done daily, hourly; yea, we must be in the spirit of prayer every moment. If we are not, we shall find ourselves susceptible and vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. For Jesus said, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.” Without prayer, how will we ever survive? Prayer must be habitual, continual, and unceasing.

Now, does this mean that we are always to be praying? Not quite. But almost. I cannot talk to the Lord with my mouth every moment, because I have others I am obliged to speak to throughout the day. I have many engagements that I must give my attention to, and many expectations that must be met. And these are things that the Lord Himself has given me to do. But I don’t ever need to be far from the Lord, so that, at any moment, I can go immediately to Him in prayer. Although I may not be always praying, I can be always ready to pray. So that throughout my day, I speak to him a multitude of times. He is my constant companion. This is how we ought to live. We ought to live in the spirit of prayer.

Now, you and I should both ask ourselves candidly, are we living in the spirit of prayer? Are we constantly just a breath away from the Master? Are we ready to speak with Him whenever the need arises, and even when there is no immediate need? Are we ready to thank Him, to praise Him, to honor Him? For thanksgiving is always the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Are we ready to call on Him to guide us through the labyrinth that each day may become? We are not living this life alone, but yet, we feel that we are. And that is only because we have not utilized this great privilege. Did not Joseph Scriven write, “O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer”? Let us take everything to God in prayer, for that is the only true way to live the Christian life. Pray without ceasing.

“Dear Lord, we thank you that you are by our side at all times. We don’t want to ignore you, or become so busy that we have no time for our wonderful, precious Savior! Dear Lord, without you we are nothing and can do nothing! Teach us to pray continually, faithfully, and without ceasing. May we live in the wonderful spirit of prayer. And we know that the benefits shall be joyous and everlasting. Help us this very day to pray without ceasing. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”