11/24/2024
As I read my morning devotional reading by Pastor E. M. Bounds today, his scripture reference was the short three word verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which directs us regarding the importance and the frequency with which we should pray. Some believe this scripture is telling them to literally pray without ceasing, while others believe it tells them to have a regular prayer regiment and to stay true to it. In either case the importance of praying is at the heart of this verse, and this is quite evident, and stressed.
“Pray without ceasing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
I don't know how many times I have read or quoted this scripture, and I even carry a prayer rock in my pants pocket so that each time my hand touches it I will be reminded of this verse and prompted to renew my prayers.
My stone reminder was given to me by a dear friend, and prayer partner, who came miraculously into my life, and whom I lift up in prayer often. Praying without ceasing; if we believe the literal meaning this sounds like a daunting task, and nearly impossible. But even if it tells us to pray with every breath we take it might not be as hard as we think. Being in constant thought and communication with God has a wonderful benefit; if we are continuously conscious of God there is little room for evil to take hold of us. It also makes certain that we remain fixed on the fact that there is nothing we do alone… God, and Jesus are with us always.
Psalms speaks of God’s constant presence, and the psalmist worries over living up to that thought. :
“You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?”
Psalm 139”5-7 ESV
And Jesus spoke to his disciples about His being with them always…
“” Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””
Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
So, as I consider this verse, I am reminded that it is only a portion of the thought being conveyed by Paul in this section of his epistle. If we begin reading at verse fifteen we will find the complete thought… listen.
“15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18:
Paul is giving us a jewel of faith; he is instructing us in a tenet of God's will for us which the Father sent Jesus to convey. The thought is simple... Be good... don't return evil for evil to anyone... Rejoice always... Pray always... And in everything give thanks!
If you are like me, you need to render instructional scripture down into the essence of what it is conveying. Boil it down until the volume is easily transported and the flavor and scent is so intense that even in small portion of it overpowers your senses... Then savor it always. Much is written of the life of Jesus and His teachings. The Gospel message is like the nectar that I am attempting to describe... full in its meaning yet simple to understand. Dr. J. Vernon McGee helped me understand this principle when he distilled the gospel message for us by saying:
"Eternal life is to have Christ. It boils down to this one point. This is the gospel in a nut-shell. This is the simplest test that can be made: He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - Dr. J. Vernon McGee
“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”
1 John 5:12 ESV
So we will spend our lives following the way of Christ and savoring every lesson... rendering his truth into the very essence of our lives, and praying in intercession, joy, thanksgiving, tears, hope, sorrow, contrition, and every other aspect of our existence. If we do this then truly we will have prayed without ceasing... and done so effortlessly without thinking.
As for the second understanding of “praying without ceasing” this has a biblical foundation as well… the Jews in the time of Christ had a very well defined prayer regiment that began with praying three times every day, and these times corresponded to the times when offerings and sacrifices were made in the temple, and were meant to honor Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were at these times…
“ Shacharit: The morning prayer, which took place at the 3rd hour, or roughly 9 AM
Minchah: The afternoon prayer, which took place at the 6th hour, or roughly 12 PM
Maarib: The evening prayer, which took place at the 9th hour, or roughly 3 PM
- exploringjudaism.org
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”
Psalm 55:17 KJV
If one visits a monastery or many Orthodox congregations today they will find that this is still being practiced. As modern day Protestant Christians there is a similar, although less structured, Liturgy or daily regiment too. As a Protestant I am accustomed to praying when I rise, before every meal, and before I retire for the night. And, much like the Jews Christians also pray throughout the day and night whenever we believe that a conversation, or petitioning of God, is needed. So the idea of praying without ceasing could also mean conforming without fail to a series of structured prayers, and is a valid understanding as well. The disciples of Jesus prayed in this way…
“Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
Acts 3:1. KJV
On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:”
Acts 10:9 KJV
So, whichever way we have been led to understand this verse (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and choose to adhere to it, we should practice praying without ceasing as we have been directed, we should do so religiously, and make it who we are spiritually. What has been, or is now, your understanding and practice of “unceasing prayer”? Are you faithfully praying in this way?
Prayer:
Thank you Father for being with us always, and teaching us to pray without ceasing. Thank you for being with us throughout our day and hearing every prayer we utter. Let this scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:17) that we have studied this morning be revealed to each of us by your Holy Spirit, and don’t let it become a stumbling block for any of us as we search out our own times and places of prayer, and seek out our salvation with fear and trembling. Hear us in the liturgical hours of prayer, in the wee hours of the night, and all the day long. Be in our thoughts and prayers always as we go about our lives, and never let us feel that one prayer has been allowed to end before the next has begun to form within us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who walked with Adam in the cool of the evening, and talked to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, but remained with them always, abiding in them, and was, is, and will be, with them always. Holy are you who is with each of us in like fashion, who whispers to us without ceasing in every breath we take, in every gust of wind, and who ignites our faith with each spark of life placed within us. Merciful and full of grace are you who answers our prayers, and helps us in them through your Holy Spirit when we know not what to pray. Worthy are you of all praise, honor, and glory Father. Let no prayer go unsaid, no moment when prayer is called for that passes us by, but help us keep to the times and hours of our prayers that serve to remind us of the eternal and unending nature of praying to you, and hearing your voice return to us.
This ie our prayer Abba, and with our every breath we say… Amen! Amen! Amen!, Am…
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:”
1 John 5:14 KJV
“But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;”
James 1:6-7 ESV
“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”
Luke 18:1 ESV
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.”
James 5:13 ESV
““Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.””
Luke 22:31-32 ESV
Rich Forbes