How does one pray continually, and without ceasing? Prayer as a consistent, ongoing conversation with God is the most natural spiritual act once you get into the practice of it.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18
Paul is encouraging the believers to rejoice always. There is a joy when you spend time in prayer. Praying on every occasion, in every season. Giving thanks in all circumstances; even in challenging moments, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Praying without ceasing is loving what you do. Praying with joyfulness.
God wants you to maintain an attitude of thanksgiving. Being thankful and give thanks for everything. Not because you are facing challenging times, not because you’re hurting because of what someone said or did to you, but because, regardless of what you are going through, God is still GOOD.
The more you pray consistently, the more you will trust and lean on Him. The more you pray in faith, the powerful your prayer life becomes. Prayer is powerful and important, and we are encouraged to pray without ceasing, why? because God ordained it.
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What Does It Mean to Pray Without Ceasing?
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Praying without ceasing is maintaining an attitude of prayer. You are talking to God all through the day. It is an attitude which each Christian needs to develop. It is being consistent in prayer.
Not giving up on prayer. It also means to have our minds always on the things of God, to be in constant communication with him, so that every moment may be as fruitful as possible.
Praying without ceasing also reminds us that we should never give up praying and we should trust that God will answer us and lead us in the right direction.
It is a lifestyle. As believers, we are commanded to pray always. There is so much a Christian must pray about. When we develop the habit of praying without ceasing, praying comes easy.
I am reminded when Paul and Silas were bound in jail. If you want to know the meaning of praying without ceasing. This story will be the one. They prayed, praise, and worshiped God all night.
Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten, and put in prison for their preaching (Acts 16:16–24). While in prison, Paul and Silas sat with their feet in stocks singing hymns.
At midnight, an earthquake broke open the prison doors, setting the prisoners free. The jailer feared that his superiors would blame him for the jail break, and he prepared to run himself through with his sword rather than face the punishment.
Paul and Silas convinced him not to harm himself, they preached the gospel to him, and he was saved, along with his entire household that night (Acts 16:25–34). It seems from verse thirty-seven that Silas, like Paul, was a Roman citizen.
I believe this is why we are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing” or to “pray continually”.
What does it mean to pray continuously? Here are a few ways we can begin the spiritual discipline of praying without ceasing:
Nehemiah 1-2:1.
Nehemiah heard of a problem with Jerusalem. It was not necessarily his problem. He had a good job and a good life. But when he heard of problems, even others’ problems, he was motivated to pray.
He was persistent. He wept mourned, fasted, prayed for days. This was an important issue. He did not just offer up a 1-minute prayer and then move on. He spent a lot of time before the Lord praying about it and searching for God’s will about what he could do. We see that he had a lifestyle of prayer.
Nehemiah did not rush to the king to get help immediately. Neither did he start issuing orders. Neither did he immediately consult with Hanani and the others. He did not rely on his own wisdom to begin taking actions. From the world’s perspective he did nothing. He sat down and he prayed. But this was his best recourse.
He kept praying and praying until God shows him what he should do and opened a door for him. He knew that is where help would come from.
When we keep praying and praying, pray without ceasing, God will open doors for us. Just like Nehemiah, Paul, and Silas, we know where I help comes from. It comes from the Lord.
Have you ever felt so strongly about something that you prayed about it for days a time? Many of us have not. But we should.
Prayer should become this natural to us. When faced with challenges and difficulties our first instinct should be to pray. Do not be in a rush to act. Pray first.
Have you ever prayed for wisdom and an idea, a thought, a plan, a Scripture pops into your mind? That can be the Holy Spirit speaking to you and giving you an answer.
There have been many times that I have prayed about what to share with people or teach and as I have been praying a verse or a passage suddenly pop into my mind. When you pray for wisdom, God will give it to you.
Prayer is important, praying without ceasing is important. And it is the practice by which we grow in grace and endure this life apart from God. But we want to rightly value prayer as it belongs in the life of the believer.
It is the practice of maintaining our relationship with God as we are commanded throughout Scripture to pray to our Father in Heaven. It is not optional – it is commanded, and it is modeled by Christ.
How to Pray without Ceasing?
The Bible has so much to say about prayer, continuous prayer, praying without ceasing. There are so many Scriptures on prayer, the power of prayer, –that we can pray without ceasing. But how do I pray without ceasing?
When we learn to “Let go and let God” lead us in our prayer time, he will teach us how to pray consistently and live a life of praying without ceasing. Seeing that God’s will—greater than we might imagine is at work in us. Pray that without ceasing.
In consistency lies the power. Power comes when you are consistent with your words, prayer life and in your pursuit of God. In consistency lies the power.
In other words, if we want to walk in the full blessing and victory God intended for us to enjoy, we need to be consistent in the things of God. Going after God in spurts won’t do it.
The more we give ourselves to the spirit, the more we spend time in prayer, the more time we give God—the more we’ll walk in the full measure of His blessing.
What makes someone get up day after day and do the same thing whether they feel like it or not?
The answer is simple: Consistent and Desire.
How much do you want a change in your life? How much do you want victory?
To be consistent in daily prayer, you have to get to a place where you want victory more than you want an extra half hour of sleep, time in front of the television, or any other routine you may have.
Determine today to be consistent. Don’t try to base today on yesterday’s prayer time. Base today on today’s time with Him. Start a consistent prayer time today. Then tomorrow, get up and do it again!
We know that prayer is communicating with God – speaking to Him on all occasions – keeping a prayer- like attitude- walking in step with Him throughout the day because we get to stay connected – why would we ever stop praying?
How can we pray without stopping, and how much time in prayer should we spend each day? These are real questions that we can find the answers to in God’s Word. Praying without ceasing is sometimes difficult when it seems like God is not answering…
So, what is prayer?
Prayer, put simply, is a conversation with God. But it is also so much more than that: it is a connection to the very One Who breathed life into us. If we want to know Who God is and the secrets to life that only He has, we must learn to pray without ceasing.
Related: Godblessign Pray Without Ceasing Wooden Hanging Sign Farmhouse Decor Sign Plaque
What Does Jesus Say About Praying?
Jesus spent a lot of time talking about prayer. He encouraged his followers to pray. He taught them how to pray. He told them parables about prayer.
Jesus’ teachings on prayer are found in Matthew 6:5-15. The first thing Jesus says is that we must not pray to impress other people; we pray to God. (Matthew 6:5-6)
He goes on to warn us against using empty words when we pray. God loves us and wants us to love him. We do not use empty words when we talk to someone we love, and who loves us, so we do not use empty words when we talk to God. (Matthew 6:7-8)
Jesus told his followers to pray for those who gave them a hard time:
“I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45)
“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:28)
Luke gives us two passages where Jesus emphasizes that his followers should be persistent in prayer. In Luke 11:1-13, Jesus tells the parable of the man who wakes his neighbor at midnight asking to borrow some bread.
In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the parable of the widow who demands justice from a judge. In these passages Jesus makes it clear that we should pray without ceasing and keep on praying and never give up.
One of the most difficult things Jesus said about prayer is that his followers would receive anything they asked for: (Matthew 21:21-22; Mark 11:23-24; Luke 11:9-10; John 15:7). Jesus also said that if two or three agreed about anything they asked, it would be done for them (Matthew 18:19) and if his followers asked for anything in his name, it would be done for them. (John 14:13-15; John 16:23-24).
Unfortunately, many of us have felt disappointment when we have experimented with praying the way we think these verses tell us to. The answer to prayer is in the words “in the name of Jesus.”
To do something in someone else’s name means we are acting according to that person’s instructions. So, these verses do not mean we can just ask for anything we like, and we will get it if we add the words “in Jesus’ name” at the end of the prayer.
They mean we will get what we ask for when we ask in accordance with Jesus’ will. So, we must keep praying and never give up. We must pray without ceasing.
Also, we must remember that God is a good parent, and a good parent gives their children good things (Luke 11:11-13).
Prayer is important always. Prayer is essential always. But prayer is particularly important when we are facing tough times, not just as individuals or families or even nations but as the whole human community. Jesus told his followers to pray while warning them of the difficult times that they were going to face:
“Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)
Related: Praying Without Ceasing: How and Why
The Importance of Praying Without Ceasing?
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
The importance of praying without ceasing is meant for believers to stay connected to God in prayer. To pray to God is one thing, but to pray without ceasing is another.
It is important to pray without ceasing because it convicts you and allows you to flee from temptations. It gives you peace beyond understanding. It gives you joy. But more than all of these, praying without ceasing changes your heart. It transforms you from the inside out, making you more and more like Jesus.
Related: Pray Without Ceasing: A Believer’s Guide To Effective Intercession
What Bible Verse Exactly Say to Pray Without Ceasing?
Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 that God’s will for us who belong in Jesus Christ is to always rejoice both in joyful and sorrowful moments, pray continually without giving up, and always give thanks in everything.
These things are not always easy to do, but Paul said this to remind us that it does not matter who and where we are or what we have done. If this is God’s will for us, then we can do it.
What Does the Bible Say About Continuing to Pray?
In his letters to the church, Paul said many times that he did not cease to pray for them.
Philippians 1:3 – I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all.
Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Colossians 1:9 – For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
How Is it Possible to Pray without Ceasing?
The bible said that “Jesus Christ rose very early in the morning, a great while before day, to pray.
Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
This was because Jesus prepared time to have communion with God and have preparation for the day’s work. So, as believers if Jesus prayed, we are to follow his example.
Quotes on Praying without Ceasing
- Some people keep God in a Sunday morning box and say, ‘Hey, I did my religious duty.’ That is fine, but the scripture says to pray without ceasing. And that means all through the day you are talking to God. Even if it is in your thoughts. Joel Osteen
- If the spiritual life be healthy, under the full power of the Holy Spirit, praying without ceasing will be natural. Andy Murray
- Praying without ceasing is not ritualized, nor are there even words. It is a constant state of awareness of oneness with God. Peace Pilgrim
- Darkness comes. In the middle of it, the future looks blank. The temptation to quit is huge. Do not. You are in good company… You will argue with yourself that there is no way forward. But with God, nothing is impossible. He has more ropes, ladders, and tunnels out of pits than you can conceive. Wait. Pray without ceasing. Hope. John Piper
- Praying with eyes wide open is the only way to pray without ceasing. Ann Voskamp
- It is wrong to sorrow without ceasing. Homer
hOW TO Praying without Ceasing 35 SCRIPTURES TO PRAY RIGHT NOW
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that I can rejoice forevermore. In everything I give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus. In Jesus name. amen
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that I pray without ceasing. In Jesus name. amen
- Romans 12:12 – Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that I am rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer. In Jesus name. amen
- Philippians 4:6 – Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you I am careful for nothing; in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving I let my requests known unto you. In Jesus name. amen
- Matthew 6:6 – But when you pray, go into your room, and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Prayer: Lord, when I feel like I need to go to my prayer closet and shut the door. Thank you that you hear me, and you hear me always. Thank you that I can go to you in my secret place. You are my place of refuge, and I can run to you in times of need. In Jesus name. Amen.
- Ephesians 6:18 –Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that I can pray to you with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. In Jesus name. amen
- Matthew 21:22 –And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Prayer: Lord thank you that your word says that whatever I ask in you in prayer according to your will I can have faith to receive it. I thank You, that whatever I ask in prayer, believing that what I ask for, I shall receive. In Jesus name. amen
- Matthew 6:9-13 – After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom comes. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Prayer: Lord, I praise and glorify your name today. I ask that your will be done in my life, on earth as it is in heaven. Give me today my daily bread and provisions. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to forgive others who have sinned against me.
And as I honor You, I thank you that you do not lead me into temptation, but You will be there to deliver me from evil, and I thank you and praise you that for the victory in the name of Jesus. Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen!
Romans 8:26 – Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, I thank you that you help my infirmities: when I do not know what to pray as I ought: You help by making intercession for me with groanings which cannot be uttered. In Jesus name. amen
- Colossians 4:2 – Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that I continue in prayer, and watch in the same, giving you thanksgiving. In Jesus name. amen
- Matthew 7:7 – Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Prayer: Lord, when I ask, it is given unto me. When I seek, I find. When I knock, the doors are opened to me. In Jesus name. amen
- Jeremiah 33:3 – Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that when I call you, You answer me and show me great and mighty things. In Jesus name. amen
- John 14:13 – And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that whatever I ask you in the name of Jesus, that will You do, that the Father may be glorified. In Jesus name. amen
- John 15:7 – If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Prayer: Lord, I abide in you, and Your words abide in me, and whatever I ask it shall be done unto me. In Jesus name. amen
- Luke 18:1—One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that I will always pray, and not give up, cave in, and I will not quit. In Jesus name. amen
- Psalm 116:2—Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
Prayer: Lord, I thank You that You are always their listening to me, and I will always have a prayer in my heart In Jesus name. amen
- Ephesians 1:18— I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
Prayer: Lord, I pray that the eyes of my heart will be enlightened so that I may know the hope of your calling, and the riches of your glorious inheritance in us. In Jesus name. amen
- Psalm – 86:3—Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly.
Prayer: Lord, be merciful unto me, for I call upon You constantly. In Jesus name. amen
- Romans 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that I am joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer. In Jesus name. amen
- 1 John 5:14 – Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You that my confidence is in You, and anything I ask according to Your will, You hear me. In Jesus name. amen
- 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Prayer: Lord, I cast all my cares, worries, frustration, on You, for You love me, and cares for me. In Jesus name. amen
- John 14:13 – And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that whatever I ask you, in the name of Jesus, you will do, that the Father may be glorified in You. In Jesus name. amen
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 – if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Prayer: Lord, we are your people. We are called by your name. We humble ourselves and pray and seek your face and we turn from our wicked way. You promised that You will forgive us of our sins, and You will heal our land. In Jesus name. amen
- Hebrews 4:16 – Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that I can come boldly to the throne of grace with confidence, so that I may receive mercy and find grace to help me in time of need. In Jesus name. amen
- Matthews 6:7 – But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Prayer: Lord when I pray, I will not use vain repetitions, as the heathen. In Jesus name. amen
- Hebrews 13:15 – Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
Prayer: Lord, through Jesus, I will continually offer to You the sacrifice of praise – I will offer the fruit of my lips, that will praise Your name. In Jesus name. amen
- 2 Thessalonians 1:11– To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power.
- Prayer: Lord, help me to always remember to pray for the body of Christ, my friends, family, and church family. Make us worthy of your calling, that we may fulfill every good and glorious work of faith through your strength and power, in Jesus’ name, amen.
- Romans 12 :11 – Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, help me to remain steadfast and firm in my prayer life. Help me to not be slothful, or lacking in my zeal for you, but to be fervent in the spirit, ready to serve you with my whole heart and faithfulness. In Jesus name, amen.
- Daniel 6:10 – Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Prayer: Lord, help me to pray to you, as Daniel did. He did not back down from following your commands and seeking you wholeheartedly, even when it cost him everything. Help me to daily pray without ceasing and give thanks to you. In Jesus Name. Amen.
- Psalm 147:1 – Praise the Lord.
Prayer: Lord, it is good to sing praises to you, for it is pleasant and fitting to praise you. In Jesus name. amen
- Romans 8:34 – Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for the gift of life. You gave your life for us, more than that, God raised You from the dead to new life, and now you are at the right hand of God making intercessions for us. In Jesus name. amen
- LUKE 18:7-8 – And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you; he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
- Prayer: Lord, thank you that you give justice to me and to those you have chosen. May I pray to you without ceasing, day and night, knowing that you will give me justice quickly. Thank you that you are a God of righteousness and justice. Amen.
- Luke 21:36 – Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Prayer: Lord, teach us how to wait on you. Help us to be watchful and pray always, that we may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. In Jesus name. amen
- James 5:13 –Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that when we are in trouble, we can always call you. When we are happy, we can sing song of praise. In Jesus name. amen
- 1 Peter 4:7 – The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
Prayer: Lord, the time of your return is near. Prepare us and make us alert and sober of mind so that we may always pray. In Jesus name. amen
In Conclusion
Prayer is what we do. Praying without ceasing is as easy as breathing when you make prayer part of your lifestyle. Therefore, we must not only pray, but we must also pray without ceasing. We must pray continually and consistently. He wants us to keep a consciousness of him all through a busy day. God does not want us to bring a day to him in prayer alone, he wants us to bring him into the day as we go about our activities.
FREE PRINTABLES
I pray that you enjoyed “HOW TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING”. Here you will find a free printable that you can download by clicking on the highlighted link.
You are welcome to use this printable for personal use or in small group Bible studies.
Have a Wonderful Day! Enjoy!
