If you are like most people, you have read some of the Guinness Book of World Records from time to time. You can discover records such as the longest time to skip rope without ceasing: 33 and 20 minutes. The longest time to dribble a basketball without ceasing: 55 hours and 26 minutes. Or the longest time to stand on your head without ceasing: 3 hours and 33 minutes. Now what about pray without ceasing?
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV)Does God really mean for us to literally pray without ceasing, just as if we are setting a world record? What does “Pray without ceasing” really mean?
To pray without ceasing means to always maintain an attitude of prayer. It also means to be persistent in prayer. It doesn’t mean to walk around literally praying 24/7.
Having the Right Attitude
When you read the passage in First Thessalonians chapter five, it is talking about the attitude a Christian must maintain.
- Rejoice always
- Pray without ceasing
- In everything give thanks
No one believes we should spend every waking moment saying, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” If someone really did this, they would drive everyone away from them.
Paul is telling us to have an attitude of rejoicing. No matter what happens, we are to rejoice. Why?
Because, if it is good, we rejoice, for all good things come from above. If it is bad, we rejoice because God will bring us through every test, trial, and tribulation.
When Paul said, “In everything give thanks,” he also meant it was an attitude of thanksgiving. We can always find something to thank God for in any situation.
Therefore, to pray without ceasing is an attitude of prayer. We are to always maintain an attitude of prayer.
Why do we maintain this attitude? “For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This is reason enough. We want to please God in everything we do.
What Does Pray Without Ceasing Mean for You
When you maintain an attitude of prayer, you will find yourself talking to God throughout the day. As you are talking to God, you will find:
- You are sharing more of your thoughts with God.
- God is sharing more of His thoughts with you.
- You ask God for direction throughout the day.
- God is guiding you throughout your day.
When you maintain this attitude of prayer, and pray without ceasing, God becomes more intimately involved in your life. You ask more of God and God gives you more.
Therefore, we more easily please God with what we do and speak. This increased intimacy lowers your worry quotient and leads you into a more holy life.
This is how God designed us to live – in direct and constant intimacy with Him.
How to Pray Without Ceasing
Now we come to the big question. How do I pray without ceasing? We know we can’t go 24/7 praying all the time. For instance, if you work on the phone in a sales job or at a call center, you can’t pray and talk to another person at the same time.
Therefore, Paul said it is an attitude of prayer. You are ready to talk to God at a moment’s notice.
Let me give an example. Let’s say you have a sales job that requires you to be on the phone all day, talking to people and closing deals. As you are talking to someone, you can also pray and ask God to show you how to close the deal.
Or you are a parent dealing with a difficult situation with your teenager. You can silently ask God to guide you and give you the right words to say.
Prayer is communication with God. You are praying, i.e., talking to God, as you go about your day. Praying without ceasing is maintaining an attitude of prayer and being in constant communication with God throughout your day.
Placing Yourself in a Position to Pray Without Ceasing
You can place yourself in the position to pray without ceasing. This takes preparation and desire, just like everything else we do with God.
5 Things To Do Each Day:
- Begin your day with prayer. Start praying from the moment you awake in the morning.
- Start your day with God’s Word and prayer. This is when you get your direction for the day.
- Throughout your day, tell God what is on your mind.
- Ask immediately for direction in every situation you face during the day.
- End your day with the Word and prayer. This prepares your spirit to continue to commune with God while your body and mind are sleeping.
The Benefits of Praying Without Ceasing
God commanded us to pray without ceasing for a reason. Praying without ceasing has benefits for us.
5 Benefits of Praying Without Ceasing
- You develop a deeper intimacy with God. This will aid you in every aspect of your spiritual life.
- You will have supernatural direction throughout your whole day. Your mistakes will become less frequent.
- You will learn to recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit.
- You will live a holy life. Intimacy with God will increase your righteousness consciousness.
- You will worry less and trust God more.
Praying without ceasing will cause you to move into the perfect will of God. The perfect will of God is where you will find complete prosperity for your spirit, soul, and body.
It is worth the effort to have a lifestyle of praying without ceasing.
The Challenge
My challenge to you today is to cultivate the habit of praying without ceasing. Start today. It is a process that takes time to develop. Keep in mind the five benefits to praying without ceasing. You will quickly learn it is a habit worth developing.
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