A Word Study

Introduction

Several years ago, I read a bulletin article titled, “Praaaaayer!” It was essentially about an individual who led a prayer before the noonday meal and, twenty minutes later, everyone was allowed to eat. Most of the food, by then, got cold.

The reason I bring this up is that there are some people who misinterpret 1 Thessalonians 5:17, in which the apostle Paul simply states, pray without ceasing. In this study we’ll look at the verse and what it actually means.

A Prayerful Life?

There are some who take this verse and, perhaps, others too literal. For no one individual can devote themselves to a constant state of prayer. In order to do so, they would have to give up their job or schooling for this to happen. If this were true, then Paul has contradicted himself when he wrote, For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

In addition, Jesus stated in Luke 18:1, …that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1 KJV). If you’re constantly praying, you’ll eventually fall asleep from a lack of food or exercise. And whatever you’re praying will no longer have any reverence to it.

Consistent not Constant

What this then means is to be consistent in your daily prayers. Here’s some commentary from a Dr. Glocester Ridley on 1 Thess. 5:17,

We are here commanded to “pray without ceasing:” but if anyone should adhere to the precept so strictly, as to seclude himself from all company or employment, and waste himself in the fervors of devotion without intermission, till nature, oppressed and wearied, sunk into slumber, we need be but little surprised at the wildness and extravagance of his dreams, or at the strangeness of his opinions, after so fanciful a course of life. The same Apostle, who prescribes to “pray without ceasing,” recommends his own example of “labouring night and day,” (1Thess. 2:9); and a good consistent Christian will endeavor to reconcile both by neglecting neither.

Listen to God First!

One of the main issues of praying constantly is that those individuals don’t have time to listen to God. Communication is a two-way process and if you spend all of your time talking to Him, you won’t have any time to listen to Him.

Naturally, I’m not referring to God actually speaking to anyone personally but, rather, He speaks to us in His word. This is explained by the writer of Hebrews, God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds (Hebrews 1:1-2).

It’s true that God had spoken to His people, personally, in the Old Testament, but now has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus. The apostle John confirmed this, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) Paul also confirms this when he wrote, So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)

When to Pray

God is suggesting a routine of daily prayers. One should pray daily and not just when times are tough but also when times are good. You’ll hear that more people pray only when things are going wrong in their life. We should, of course, pray at that time. But we should also pray when things are going right. This is called a prayer of thanksgiving. Here are two examples from Paul:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (Philippians 4:6)

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; (Colossians 4:2)

Here are some suggestions of when to pray:

Pray when you first get up in the morning.

Pray before every meal.

Pray before you leave your house for work or school.

Pray before going on a trip.

Pray before you go to sleep.

Once you’ve planned a routine of prayer, be consistent! Don’t just skip one moment of prayer because something has come up in your life. Pray during the good times and the bad times.

Conclusion

Jesus warned everyone when He stated, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23)

Before you DO anything, make sure you talk to God first and that it aligns with His word. As Paul wrote, And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17)