Pray Without Ceasing
By Justin March

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18

In the season of Thanksgiving, I find this passage by the Apostle Paul
intriguing.   In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul commands
them to stop being anxious about their lives and to pray without ceasing.
Of course, if we take this passage literally, it would be impossible to
accomplish.  We must eat, drink, speak, and rest which all would be done
without praying.  But, if we take these words for what Paul intended, he
is saying that we can pray without ceasing by depending on God in every aspect
of life, praying repeatedly and often, staying steadfast in prayer even when we
feel it is not being answered, and being disciplined in prayer by praying when
life is both good and bad.

When we train ourselves to pray without ceasing, our lives become enriched and
our worries subside.  It allows us to express gratitude for God’s gifts,
to receive guidance about every aspect of life, to develop an attitude of
dependency and trust in the Lord, and to be in constant communication with
Him.  Praying without ceasing gives us the chance to thank God in all
situations, and when we occupy our minds with giving thanks to Him, we have no
time for worrying or complaining.  And the more we practice prayers of
thankfulness, the weaker our negative outlook on life becomes.

Sometimes we get bogged down in thinking that prayer means we need to kneel, bow
our heads, and express well thought out and rehearsed verses.  Sometimes
our well intentioned prayers get lost because we feel they need to be
perfect.  But if we remember to pray without ceasing, we will understand
that simple acts of depending on God and thanking Him for everything keep us in
His light.

We
simply need to remember to thank God for each day.  We need to thank Him
for the beauty and brightness, instead of being engulfed by the darkness and
adversity the day may bring.  And when we focus on being thankful and
appreciative of what God has bestowed upon us, He becomes our companion, walks
by our side, and gives us a fresh perspective that is both positive and
contagious as we encounter any dark situation this world wants to throw our way.

As you begin your new week, try to practice prayer without ceasing.  Try
to see God’s light in all situations and make sure to thank Him for
everything.  Whether the day brings you blessings, goodness, and happiness
or darkness, sorrow, and pain, remember to depend on God and be in constant
communication with Him.  By praying without ceasing, you no longer feel
yourself drawing away from God.  In fact, it is this prayer, and thoughts
of thankfulness, that bring you closer to Him.  And as you walk your daily
journey, with God by your side, your light shines bright, your positivity
becomes contagious, and your prayers attract others.

Praying without ceasing is a practice that was commanded in ancient times and
is still relevant today.  In a world full of negativity, adversity,
heartache, and darkness, it is a perfect way to replace the pain with light and
happiness.  It is a way to give thanks for all God does, and a constant
communication that brings us closer to the Lord.  And when we pray without
ceasing, we are fulfilling our missions by staying positive, extending
blessings, and being the light that brings others closer to Christ.