“Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Introduction
What does Paul mean here? Is he actually suggesting that we are to be constantly in prayer? If so, it is certain that even he failed. Matthew Henry in his commentary on this verse writes, “We should keep up stated times for prayer, and continue instant in prayer. The meaning is not that men should do nothing but pray, but that nothing else we do should hinder prayer in its proper season. Prayer will help forward and not hinder all other lawful business, and every good work.” The command here is to keep up regular times for prayer.
We ought to pray
“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2). Prayer is as much an attitude of heart as it is forming words of supplication with the lips. “The best prayers have often more groans than words” (John Bunyan). We may not be able to get to the place of prayer, or find that unforeseen events hinder us from regular prayer, but we can still have a prayerful heart. Paul encourages believers to go on “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer” (Romans 12:12). This means that prayer ought never to be far from our heart and mind. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18), or as Luke 18:1 states, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” “When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy” (Corrie ten Boom). How can we pray if we do not abide in and love to be in the presence of the Lord? “Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence” (Psalm 140:13).
Prayer is a matter of the heart
Prayer in itself does not impress God. People of all religions pray, but “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” with God (James 5:16). Neither does He delight in hearing repetitious words from a prayer book. “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7). It must come from the heart if it is ever going to be acknowledged by the Lord. “This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me” (Mark 7:6). It is not the moving of the lips, but the elevation of the heart to God which constitutes true prayer. The words of John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth”, can be just as well applied to prayer.
It does not matter how small or insignificant a matter it is, unless we bring it to God it will never burden our souls. “Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden” (Corrie ten Boom). The prophet Daniel is a good example of making prayer a matter of the heart. He did not continue praying just to defy the king; instead he did so because he believed in regular prayer that must not be hindered by anything or anyone. Prayer was in his heart. “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10), and the recorded prayer found in Daniel 9 reveals what his burden was. He was burdened over the sinfulness that caused God’s people to go into captivity.
Conclusion
To pray without ceasing is not the high ideal that is achieved by super spiritual saints, but by every member of the Body of Christ. True prayer is to live, think and move in the presence of God. Prayerfulness demands discipline and faith on our part. There is no date on our calendar that states that prayer is forbidden on that day. It is impossible to victoriously get through our daily lives without prayer.
© 25/6/2008