Pray without ceasing is a popular bible passage in one of the Apostle Paul’s letters to the saints in Thessalonica. (1 Thess.5:16) To pray without ceasing is to constantly and consistently maintain the posture of communion with God. Making prayer an ongoing awareness of God’s presence and maintaining connection with Him continuously by turning inward thought to momentary prayer when it is necessary. It is not about prayer jamboree or non-stop vocal speaking, but about making prayer a habit. Jesus says, “Men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” (Luke.18:1) Not to lose heart is to remain hopeful and not to succumb to the challenging world but to exercise patience and to keep believing and trusting the goodness of God.

Prayer should be a two-way communication between man and God. Man asks, God answers. Praying without ceasing brings man to deep intimacy with God as frequently as he prays. It brings man into regular fellowship with God which is the will of God for man. It is also a way of constant submission to the supremacy and sufficiency of God almighty who consistently sustain man through Jesus Christ who is the creator of everything that man desires and requires. Praying without ceasing is centering one’s life on God’s presence so much that one’s heart is delighted in the Lord. When one’s heart is delighted in the Lord, his thought, emotion and will becomes the same with the Lord and he is able to please the Lord.

Paul did not only encourage the saints to pray without ceasing but also taught them the importance of dedicated prayer life that should motivate their desire to please God in all their ways of service and obedience. He highlighted two interwoven activities which is the will of God that motivates one to pray without ceasing. They are to rejoice always, and to give thanks in everything. (1 Thess.5:16,18).

The Bible says, “Rejoice always,” (1 Thess.5:16) To rejoice always should be the behavioural pattern of every believer. One rejoices when he is in deep thought of what God has done for him, more importantly the gift of Salvation. He recognises the goodness of the Lord and believes all the promises of God. The Bible says, in the presence of God there is fulness of joy. (Psalm.16:11) When the attitude of rejoicing is maintained, one is not weighed down by sorrow, poverty or any sort of discouragement because the joy of the Lord becomes one’s strength. The joy of the Lord brings so much strength that when it is in its full glory, doubt, fear and sorrow flees away. Both the attitude of rejoicing always and praying without ceasing express the presence of God.

The other motivating attitude is the attitude of thanksgiving. Praying without ceasing help believers to realise God’s blessing and empower him with thankful spirit. Thankful spirit helps one to remember God’s help in the past and focus on Him. The bible recommends thanksgiving as the will of God in Christ Jesus for believers. (1 Thess. 5:18) It is also a means of acknowledging the supremacy of God almighty who gives life and every blessing. Giving thanks is an expression of love for God which should be the behavioural attitude of believers knowing that all things work together for good to those who love God. (Rom.8:28) It explains the fact that even in hardship or bitter disappointment, God will work in the midst of such unpleasant situations to fulfil His good purpose in a person’s life.

To rejoice always, pray without ceasing and to give thanks in everything is a spiritual practice that empowers believers to focus and rely on God at all times. A spiritual practice that guides and relieves believer of worry and keeps him to stand against every daily temptation. It is a practice every believer should adopt to overcome every daily challenges.

Evangelism Jesus is the only way to God. Jesus rightly says so. Believe the truth, accept Him as your Saviour and your Lord today. He is waiting for you.

Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre