^ 1 Thessalonians 5:17 -- Pray Without Ceasing

Pray without ceasing. -- 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

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WHATEVER might be our natural inclinations with reference to definiteness and persistency in prayer, we must take our instructions from the Scriptures; and overcoming our natural predilections, we must as "little children" and as "dear children" conform our views and conduct to the instruction which is from above. Let us all, therefore, remember the words, "ask (in My name), and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."--John 16:24. The Heavenly Father has multiplied mercies, blessings and providences in store for His obedient and faithful children who will ask for them. -- Based on excerpt from "Restitution, Faith Cures, Prayer Cures, and the Gift of Healing", ZWT, July 1, 1896, now in the public domain.

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Daniel prayed formally three times a day. It is good that we may be able to set apart at least three times a day for such formal prayer. However, there is a danger in routinely praying, in that it may become simple ritual and is no longer prayer from the heart. Such prayer is described in the Bible as drawing close to Jehovah with lips while one's heart is far from him. (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:7-9) Such prayer is simply uttering words and is not actually praying at all. Similarly, formal prayer in public can become the utterance of words to be heard by men, rather than by God. (Matthew 6:5) Thus, while we should certainly often pray, we should always make sure that we are praying from the heart, not simply the utterance of words from the lips.

Based on Isaiah 26:3, a poet tells us, "Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are truly blessed." And a hymn states, "Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed." These expressions leave the thought that we should be living every moment as though in a state of prayer. Whatever we have to do or say, our thoughts should be inquiring of God if it meets His approval. Whatever we desire, we should be asking if the desire would be in harmony with His will, and in a constant state of thankfulness for all blessings received. Our hearts and minds should, therefore, always be stayed on our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus. This is not just three times a day, nor is restricted to any moments out of each hour. It consists of every waking moment, every second, throughout each day, regardless of what we may be doing or saying.

We should not think that the apostle is telling us to spend every second of every day bowed in prayer. Nor does it mean to create a ritual of rote prayer several times of a day. The thought is that we should not give up in earnest prayer that is from our hearts. To stop praying would be like raising a signal of surrender in the face of our enemies: Satan, the world separated from God, and our own sinful flesh. Our heart attitude in prayer is involved, as we read of the Christians spoken of in Acts 6:4 as having a "singleness of heart". Paul also wrote something similar to the Christians at Rome, as recorded in Romans 12:12, as he told them to be "rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer." This thus involves our thoughts, not just words repeated by rote. The words we use in prayer are not the actual prayer, but rather are instruments used to relate what is in the heart. A heart that is constantly "stayed on Jehovah", however, does indicate a life that is in constant attitude of prayer throughout every waking second of life, regardless of what activity one may be engaged in.  The child of God should realize that prayer should be incorporated into all facets of life, including happy and ordinary times, rather than being restricted to times of crisis or designated prayer times. 

Essentially, out text exhorts believers to develop a way of life that is marked by constant communication with God, which is typified by reliance, thankfulness, and a spirit of prayer that permeates every area of life. 

Related Scriptures:

Job 27:10

Isaiah 62:6

Daniel 6:10

Matthew 5:16

Matthew 6:5 

Matthew 20:28

Luke 18:1

Luke 21:36

John 15:8

Acts 10:2

Acts 12:5

Acts 20:28

Romans 12:12

1 Corinthians 7:23

1 Corinthians 10:31 

2 Corinthians 5:14,15

Galatians 3:13 

Ephesians 6:18

Philippians 1:9-11

Philippians 4:6

Colossians 4:2

1 Timothy 2:5,6

Titus 2:14 

Hebrews 9: 12

1 Peter. 1:18

1 Peter 2: 9 

1 Peter 4:7

Revelation 5:9

Revelation 14:4,5

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