Pray Without Ceasing: What does that even mean?

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to pray without ceasing. Some translations of this verse say pray continually or pray without stopping. So what does this even mean? Does mean that I need to sit around for hours at a time praying? I don’t think so. I think this is more about turning our thoughts to God on a regular basis and just talking to him as we do this. To me what it all boils down to is this, to pray without ceasing just means to pray and talk to God throughout your day as an ongoing conversation. Prayer is not a religious ritual. Prayer is a conversation with our father and our friend, and it comes from a place of relationship not rigid or rote protocol.

An “Aha” moment

In my previous blog post about When and Where to Pray, I wrote about how when I was in college I had a sudden realization after reading this verse that there is really no “certain” or “right” time to pray. Growing up, typically prayer times were before meals and at bedtime. I remember reading “Pray without ceasing” and having the thought that God wants to talk to me all day. I just need to pray all the time and not just before meals or bed.

From that point on, I started having a daily, ongoing conversation with God.  I still had regular and more formal times to pray, but more often than not I would just talk to God throughout the day.  This idea of an ongoing conversation gave me the freedom to have a friendship and real relationship with God.  I didn’t even say “amen”. It was just an unending conversation all day long.

Sometimes I imagine this like talking to an invisible friend walking beside me (because he kind of is!). It doesn’t even have to be out loud, but it can be. Sometimes I find myself praying out loud without realizing it. You can imagine some of the strange looks I might get. I remember one time I was walking in the kitchen feeling really frustrated, drained, and overwhelmed. Slightly under my breath (or so I thought), and in a bit of a growl, I pleaded to God saying, “Sustain me”. My husband, Eric apparently overhead. He laughed as he jokingly asked me if I was demon-possessed because all he heard was a growling sound and what he thought was a “SAVE ME”. We got a good laugh about that!

Some examples of what “pray without ceasing” might look like on an average day for me

I definitely still pray at planned times such as in the mornings when I wake up, before and during my quiet times, before meals, in the shower, while driving, before a confrontation or conflict, etc. However, I also keep an ongoing prayer over the course of the day too. It truly does look like sporadic comments throughout my day as if talking to a friend that’s standing next to me such as…

“Wow, look at that beautiful sunset!”

“God, this guy is really getting on my nerves. Please give me grace to be able to put up with this right now.”

“She really just hurt my feelings. I forgive her, but can you maybe show her that when she does that it can be hurtful to others?”

“Oh, you think you’re really funny don’t you?!” (I find myself saying this a lot. I’ve noticed that God really does have a sense of humor.)

“Thank you for… or I’m so thankful for…” (I often offer random thanksgiving for things like my family, my house, my bed, good smells, good food, warmth, comfort, provision, or any of my many, many blessings.)

“I can’t believe I just did that. Did you see that?”

“I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”

“Can you give me wisdom in solving this problem?”

“Show me how I can make amends here?”

“Help me to have the right words during this conversation.”

“Guess what I did today.” (God likes to hear about my day too…even though he already knows! 😉 )

To pray without ceasing is to build relationship by communication

When we pray without ceasing, we build a more intimate relationship with God. Relationships require time, effort, and communication. Just as we need to have regular communication with a friend or spouse in order for that relationship to thrive, we also need to have regular, ongoing communication with God. It’s also important to remember that communication is a two-way street. We need to take the time to stop and listen to God on occasion. We can’t always be the one doing all the talking.

Additionally, we get some of the same benefits as we do from a friendship when we talk with God. We can get help and advice. However, we can also get some emotional release when we vent our emotions just as we would do with a friend. We see David do this all throughout the Psalms. In fact, the book of Psalms is a good example of seeing communication with God like this. Reading the psalms can build your faith and confidence about how and when we can communicate with God.

Scriptures about praying continually

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

“Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart” Luke 18:1 (BSB)

“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36 (NKJV)

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 (ESV)

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.” Colossians 4:2 (NLT)

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.” 1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)

“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11 (NIV)

“We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Colossians 1:3 (NLT)

So how can YOU start to have an ongoing conversation with God?

Take Some Practical Steps to Start to Pray Without Ceasing:

• First, understand that to pray without ceasing does not mean that you literally have to pray for 24 hours a day.

Remember this is more about ongoing communication with God than a formal routine or ritual.

• Secondly, take a self- assessment–Think about how much you talk to God right now.

If you were to talk to you spouse, significant other, or best friend that same amount, how would that relationship be? Would it struggle because you’re not communicating enough?

• Next, imagine that you’re just talking to one of your friends who happens to be walking right beside you (but you just can’t really see them). Then, try some of the following suggestions for an ongoing conversations with God throughout your day.

• Thank God for things that you appreciate as you see or experience them.

• Praise God for his character as you feel or see the effects of it in your everyday life.

• Take your emotions to God.

When you’re feeling anxious, worried, angry, sad, overwhelmed, etc., talk to him about what you’re feeling in that moment. Ask him for grace or strength. Ask him for direction for steps you need to take that will help with those emotions.

• As you have a need, go to your source. Ask God to meet your need.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

• Talk to God when you need help.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)

• Confess your sin as you feel convicted or recognize a flaw in yourself as you go about your day.

You could even take this a step further and ask for God’s help, strength, and power to help you overcome or fix that flaw and show you ways to do so. (an outburst, a bad attitude, selfish behavior, ungodly speech, etc.)

• Say a prayer for others as you encounter people throughout your day.

• Use prayer cues or triggers to pray.

• Finally, consider reading through the Psalms build your faith in communicating with God more regularly.

Reading the psalms can build your faith and confidence about how and when we can communicate with God. Here’s a link to a reading plan to read through the book of Psalms in a month.

What are some ways that you pray without ceasing and/or having an ongoing conversation with God? Share them with us by leaving a comment below.

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are rude, disrespectful, sarcastic, offensive, or off-topic.  By posting on this site you agree to my Comment Policy.

P.S.  If you liked this post, you might enjoy receiving new posts delivered right to your inbox each week!  Sign up here. 

If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)