In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Paul says, "Pray without ceasing." Another directive that seems on the surface to be impossible to live by. It refers to constant prayerfulness. Remember, prayer is as much an attitude as it is an activity. Joyful believers recognize their own insufficiency and, as a result, find themselves constantly in an attitude of prayer.
"Pray" (v. 17) translates a Greek word that is the most common New Testament word for prayer. It refers to all aspects of prayer: submission, confession, petition, intercession, praise, and thanksgiving. Without ceasing means "constant." It defines prayer not as a continual activity of kneeling and interceding, but as a way of life marked by a continual attitude of prayer.
Prayer is more than just kneeling and speaking to God with thanksgiving and praise and petition. The essence of prayer consists of lifting your heart to God. Understanding that truth enables us to carry into practice this injunction to "pray without ceasing" (v. 17). We can't have words of prayer on our lips all the time (activity). However, we can be in the spirit of prayer at all times (attitude). When you realize your complete dependence on God for everything and you recognize His presence with you wherever you are, then you will find yourself continually yielding yourself prayerfully to Him to be guided and used by Him.
This inward attitude of prayer will find outward expression in the activity of verbal prayer on a regular basis. Without notice you will find yourself breaking out in praise and prayer to God. When this inward attitude of prayer exists you will find yourself constantly talking with God—praying while walking, or while driving, or even while talking with others. The more you practice the presence of God through prayer, the more you will find yourself continually in an attitude of prayer. That is what it means to "pray without ceasing" (v. 17). Amen.
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