Grosey's Messages

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reads: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." These verses have been called "The standing orders of the church." All Christians in all places at all times are to be joyful, prayerful, and thankful. 

 

These exhortations are radical. The verbs are not. By nature, Christians are joyful, prayerful, thankful people. The radical adverbs are: Always. Without ceasing. In all circumstances. These exhortations teach what churches should do on Sundays. They also teach how Christians should live every day. 

 

The three exhortations stand together. To rejoice always is to pray without ceasing. To pray without ceasing is to give thanks in all circumstances. Yet each exhortation stands alone. In this article, meditate on verse 17 with me. What does it mean to pray without ceasing? 

 

Pray Constantly. The word used in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 is the most common and comprehensive term for prayer. The use of this general term indicates this exhortation is not about how you pray. It is about when you pray: "Pray without ceasing." To pray without ceasing is to pray continually or constantly. Prayer is to be a way of life.

 

Pray Dependently. To pray without ceasing does not mean to do nothing but pray. It means do nothing without prayer. Prayer is a declaration of dependence on God. Prayerlessness is a declaration of independence from God. What you pray about is what you trust God with. What you do not pray about is what you trust yourself with.

 

 Pray Obediently. "Pray without ceasing" is a divine command. Submissive obedience is the starting place of continual prayer. There are things we do not do because God commands us to pray without ceasing. Disassociate from people, avoid people, and abstain from practices that tempt you not to pray without ceasing. 

 

Pray Eagerly. Prayer is a duty and a delight. It is an imperative and invitation. It is an obligation and opportunity. It is something you ought to do and get to do. Do not treat prayer like a burdensome duty to obey. Treat prayer like a wonderful privilege to enjoy. Pray when you feel like it, when you don't feel like it, and until you feel like it.

 

Pray Devotionally. You cannot always be in prayer. You can always be prayerful. To pray without ceasing is to always be in a spirit of prayer. You don't have to be in constant communication with God to be in constant communion with God. It is better to have a heart of prayer with no words than words of prayer with no heart. 

 

Pray Regularly. Make appointments with God. Put them on your calendar. Treat them like meetings you cannot afford to miss. Don't be superstitious about it. But set regular times of prayer. Set a morning and evening prayer time to start your day with God. Set times throughout the day to check in with God. Establish prayer triggers, as well as prayer times. 

 

Pray Spontaneously. In Greek, "without ceasing" refers to a hacking cough. Have you ever had a bad cough? You cannot hide the need to cough. The need to cough keeps you up late at night and wakes you early in the morning. The attempt to suppress it only makes you cough harder. In the same way, pray without ceasing!

 

Pray Persistently. To pray without ceasing is to never cease to pray. That is the primary point of 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Don't stop praying. Pray until something happens. Pray until you receive an answer. Pray with perseverance. Continue steadfastly in prayer. It happens after prayer! But it won't happen if you stop praying!  

  

Pray Actively. Prayer is not passive. It is active. Prayer is not sloth. It is zeal. Prayer is not letting go and letting God. It is to hold on and let God. To pray continuously is to pray actively. It does not matter that you pray on your knees as much as it matters that you put your feet on your prayers after you pray. Ask God to make your life a prayer. 

 

Pray Confidently. We are never personally worthy to pray. Yet Christians can and should pray with confidence, because 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says: "This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." It is always the heavenly Father's will that his children ask him for what they need. We pray with confidence because we are in Christ Jesus.