aBible.com     

1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray Without Ceasing.

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

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT) Never stop 
praying, 

COMMENTARY PEARL

Spending time with God is not relegated to a 
fraction of your waking hours. Brother Lawrence 
suggests a continuous, open-ended conversation with 
God throughout your day. Sounds impossible, 
right? Not really, it's all about shifting your 
thought process and talking with him about the 
common task of life. In other words, turning 
everyday moments into prayer. How would your day be 
different if every waking moment was lived with an 
awareness of God's active involvement in your thoughts 
and actions? [The Practice of the Presence of 
God: 40 Day Devotional by Brother Lawrence/Alan 
Vermilye] 

COMMENTARY

The Impact of Prayer
   Prayer is the lifeblood of an intimate 
relationship with the Father. But believers often have 
questions about its power and effectiveness. Dont 
hesitate to take your queries to the Lord, dig into 
Scripture for answers, and seek the counsel of a 
trusted spiritual mentor. Prayer is too important to 
neglect. 
   Will Gods plans fail if I dont 
pray? God is not subservient to believers or 
dependent upon their prayers. The time we invest in 
speaking with Him involves us in the work that He is 
doing in our lives and in the world, but He will 
carry on without us. Laboring alongside the Lord 
is our privilege. 
   Does my prayer (or lack thereof) impact 
Gods work? I believe that Scripture indicates the 
answer to this question is both yes and no, 
depending upon the situation. There are times when 
Gods purpose is set. He is in control and has 
determined the best course. In the Old Testament, the 
Lord often prophesied what He would do and then 
brought those events to pass. 
   In other cases, you do not have 
because you do not ask (James 4:2). There are 
some good things that He holds back until we put 
out prayerful hands to receive them. But because 
God is a loving Father, He also pours our 
blessings that we wouldnt even think to request. 
   Believers prayers have tremendous 
impact, particularly on their own faith and life. Do 
you understand what an awesome privilege it is 
to kneel before the all-powerful Father and 
know that He listens and will respond? God loves 
to be good to His children and answer their 
prayers. [In Touch Daily Devotional by Charles 
Stanley at www.intouch.org] 

The Great Thing About Prayer
   I clearly remember when I was a new 
Christian and first began to pray. I had never prayed 
in my life. I wasn't aware that I could know 
God in such a way as to call on Him and listen 
to Him. I also remember the first time I prayed 
with a group of other Christians. I was so 
nervous. With every word, I was convinced I was 
bombing in my prayer. My heart was pounding and my 
throat was dry. 
   Sometimes we think we don't know how to 
pray properly because we're not sure how to 
phrase certain things. We wonder if we should use 
some special kind of language or pray in a 
certain posture. But these aren't the main issues at 
all. Far from it! The most important thing is our 
hearts. The great thing about prayer is that God 
looks primarily at our hearts. Even if our prayers 
aren't perfectly structured, even if they aren't 
eloquent, if they come from a heart that is directed 
toward God, then they are pleasing to Him. 
   God keeps up with all the latest 
terminology, so don't worry about that. He knows what you 
are saying. He knows what you are thinking. The 
main thing is to start praying. Just start where 
you are and speak to God straight from your 
heart. 
   Luke 18:1 tells us that Jesus told his 
disciples a story "to show that they should always 
pray and never give up (NLT). So spend time in 
prayer. You can pray at home. You can pray while 
you're stuck in traffic. 
   We read in the Bible that people of all 
ages from different walks of life prayed every 
day, always, in any posture, and under all 
circumstances. God can hear prayer at any time in any 
place. [Every Day with Jesus by Greg Laurie] 

ILLUSTRATION

Why Keep Praying!
   Billy and Ruth Graham once had a prodigal 
son named Franklin. He lived a rebellious life, 
but his parents never gave up on him. They just 
kept praying, and ultimately, Franklin came back 
to the Lord. Today, hes someone whom God is 
using powerfully. 
   What an example for us to keep praying 
for our children and not give up on them. Of 
course, the Devil will whisper in your ear and tell 
you that its too late for your kids, and 
theyll never change. But dont listen to him. 
Hes a liar and the father of lies (see John 
8:44). 
   If you have a son or daughter who has 
taken a prodigal turn, dont give up on your 
child. Both of my sons were prodigals for a time, 
but they returned to the Lord. So keep praying, 
because your child isnt beyond Gods reach. And 
by the way, youre praying according to the 
will of God when youre praying for someone to 
come back to the Lord. So keep praying. 
   In fact, Luke 18:1 tells us that Jesus 
told his disciples a story to show that they 
should always pray and never give up (NLT). 
   On the other hand, if youre the 
prodigal child, I want you to know that youre 
breaking your parents hearts. Whatever youre 
chasing after isnt going to satisfy you, and 
eventually youll come to the end of it. But I hope 
that you dont come to the end of it at the end 
of your years and, as a result, throw your life 
away. You need to come back to the Lord. 
   The Bible tells us that God is not 
willing that any should perish but that all should 
come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV). Its 
the heart of God to see people come to Him - or 
come back to Him. [Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com] re 2 Peter 
3:9 

CLOSING PEARL

While engaged in our daily work, we should 
lift the soul to heaven in prayer. These silent 
petitions rise like incense before the throne of 
grace; and the enemy is baffled. The Christian 
whose heart is thus stayed upon God cannot be 
overcome. No evil arts can destroy his peace. All the 
promises of God's word, all the power of divine 
grace, all the resources of Jehovah, are pledged to 
secure his deliverance. It was thus that Enoch 
walked with God. And God was with him, a present 
help in every time of need Prayer is the 
breath of the soul. It is the secret of spiritual 
power. No other means of grace can be substituted, 
and the health of the soul be preserved. Prayer 
brings the heart into immediate contact with the 
Well-spring of life, and strengthens the sinew and 
muscle of the religious experience. Neglect the 
exercise of prayer, or engage in prayer 
spasmodically, now and then, as seems convenient, and you 
lose your hold on God. The spiritual faculties 
lose their vitality, the religious experience 
lacks health and vigor.  It is only at the altar 
of God that we can kindle our tapers with 
divine fire. {GW 254} 

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Gracious God,
   As I journey with You today, please help 
me to thank You all through the day. This 
practice makes it more feasible for me to pray 
without ceasing, as the apostle Paul taught. I long 
to be able to pray continually, and thanking 
You in every situation facilitates this pursuit. 
My thankful prayers provide a solid foundation 
on which I can build all my other prayers. 
Moreover, it's so much easier for me to communicate 
freely with You when I have a grateful attitude. 
   If I keep my mind occupied with thanking 
You, I'm less likely to fall into hurtful 
patterns of worrying or complaining. I've seen that 
when I practice thankfulness consistently, 
negative thought patterns gradually grow weaker and 
weaker. 
   A grateful heart opens up the way for me 
to draw near to You. And Your glorious Presence 
fills me with Joy and Peace. 
   In Your joyous Name, Jesus, Amen (1 
Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV; James 4:8 NKJV; Romans 15:13) 
[Jesus Listens by Sarah Young] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC

1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray Without Ceasing.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20191203-1159.html 

Luke 18:1 - Always Pray and Avoid Being 
Discouraged. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20140502-0921.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Steps to Peace by Billy Graham: 
https://stepstopeace.org/ 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study 
Guides: 
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible 

Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/  

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657  

Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The 
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE