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Pray Without Ceasing

by Traute Klein, AKA biogardener

Paul admonishes us to pray without ceasing. He shows us how can we accomplish this in our everyday lives through joyful thanksgiving.

This admonition of Paul to the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 5:17) has intrigued me since my childhood. I wrote it in my sister’s book of remembrances as a motto along with a quotation which is usually ascribed to Tennyson, "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of," although its first use actually predates Tennyson. I really was not sure what the words meant, but I sensed their inherent strength.

A More Excellent Way

And I show you a still more excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:31)
We all recognize this phrase from 1 Corinthians 12:31. Here, however, I am quoting it out of context intentionally, because I believe that Paul expresses a principle which guides his ministry. He wants to show us "a more excellent way" of living our faith in its every facet, not just in regard to spiritual gifts. Looking at every reference to prayer in Paul’s epistles, the more excellent way became clear by the repeated references to the combination of thanksgiving and prayer. First Paul explains how he prays:
I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day. (2 Timothy 1:3) I do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers. (Ephesians 1:16) I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers. (Philemon 1:4) We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you. (Colossians 1:3) We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers. (1 Thessalonians 1:2)
He then exhorts us to do the same:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6) Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)
And just once, Paul shows us another aspect of continuous prayer, and that is the element of joy. In the midst of persecution and trial, giving thanks apparently came more easily to Paul than joy. Thanksgiving can be a discipline. Joy has to well up from within.
Always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all. (Philippians 1:4)

Ceaseless Prayer in Context

Now let’s look at Paul’s admonition to "pray without ceasing" in context.
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
Isn't it assuring to know that the context of the verse declares exactly the same principle as the rest Paul's teaching on prayer?


A Practical Solution

Can I practice this "prayer without ceasing" in my everyday life? My answer is a resounding "Yes." I can live in the continual presence of the Lord, communing with him. We share each other’s most intimate thoughts. Yes, I pray for people and I thank him for them. I give thanks for the answers to my prayers to which I am looking forward. We also discuss the more mundane events of daily life. This practice results in a deep-rooted joy which, in turn, leads me into a more profound dedication to prayer.


Guest Author

Traute Klein is the contributing editor of Suite101's Natural Health column. She has taught Sunday school and integrated family Bible studies to Christians of every denomination and every age from 2 to 82. She has written about this continuous communion with the Lord in her 2001 Easter article, "Prayer is not a one-way street," where she traces its growth from her childhood to her teenage years.