1 Thessalonians 5:17 kjv
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 nkjv
pray without ceasing,
1 Thessalonians 5:17 niv
pray continually,
1 Thessalonians 5:17 esv
pray without ceasing,
1 Thessalonians 5:17 nlt
Never stop praying.
1 Thessalonians 5 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Thess. 5:17 | pray without ceasing. | Continual Prayer Attitude |
| Luke 18:1 | always to pray and not to faint. | Persistence in Prayer |
| Rom. 12:12 | rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. | Steadfastness in Prayer |
| Eph. 6:18 | praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. | Prayer in the Spirit |
| Phil. 4:6 | be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. | Prayer and Thanksgiving |
| Col. 4:2 | continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. | Watchfulness and Thanksgiving |
| Acts 2:42 | And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. | Devotion to Prayer |
| Ps. 62:8 | Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. | Pouring out the heart |
| Ps. 119:164 | Seven times a day I praise you, because of your righteous rules. | Frequent Praise |
| Jer. 29:12-13 | Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. | Seeking with the whole heart |
| 1 Tim. 2:8 | I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling. | Prayer in every place |
| Acts 1:14 | all these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers. | United Devotion to Prayer |
| Matt. 7:7-8 | Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. | Persistent Asking |
| Ps. 86:3 | Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. | Calling all day long |
| Gal. 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. | Prayer as a fruit of the Spirit |
| 1 Peter 4:7 | The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. | Self-control for Prayer |
| Prov. 15:29 | The Lord is far from the wicked, but hears the prayer of the righteous. | Righteous Prayer Heard |
| Heb. 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. | Drawing near with confidence |
| Ps. 55:17 | But I call to God, and the LORD saves me. | Salvation through calling |
| 1 Cor. 14:15 | What then shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. | Praying with Spirit and mind |
1 Thessalonians 5 verses
1 Thessalonians 5 17 Meaning
To pray without ceasing is to maintain a constant disposition of prayerful reliance and communication with God, permeating all of life with this attitude, not literally praying without any pause. It's about a continuous communion, an ongoing relationship that shapes every action and thought.
1 Thessalonians 5 17 Context
This verse is part of a broader exhortation in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, dealing with the coming of the Day of the Lord and how believers should live in light of it. Paul is instructing the Thessalonian church on practical Christian living, emphasizing the importance of holiness, joy, peace, and a constant readiness for Christ's return. Specifically, verses 16-22 provide a series of imperative commands: "Rejoice always," "pray without ceasing," "give thanks in all circumstances," "do not quench the Spirit," "do not despise prophecies," "test everything; hold fast to what is good," "abstain from every form of evil." This encourages a life that is continually aligned with God's will, maintaining a positive outlook and an active, receptive relationship with Him. The historical context is the young church facing persecution and uncertainty, making such steadfast exhortations crucial for their endurance.
1 Thessalonians 5 17 Word Analysis
pray: Greek: "proseuchomai" (προσεύχομαι). This verb means to pray, to offer prayers, to worship, and to invoke God. It encompasses formal prayer, as well as informal, ejaculatory prayers and communion with God.
without ceasing: Greek: "adialeiptos" (ἀδιαλείπτως). This adverb means unceasingly, continuously, without intermission, or constantly. It does not mean an incessant stream of verbal prayer but a persistent state or habit of mind, a continuous connection with God that is ever-present.
pray without ceasing: The combined phrase emphasizes a continuous, unbroken attitude and practice of prayer, rather than merely praying at set times. It signifies a life lived in perpetual communication with God, making prayer an integral part of one's ongoing experience. This persistent prayer reflects a deep-seated reliance on and communion with the divine.
1 Thessalonians 5 17 Bonus Section
The concept of "praying without ceasing" aligns with the idea of the priesthood of all believers, where each Christian has direct access to God through Christ and is encouraged to live in constant fellowship. This also resonates with the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence, which enables and encourages perpetual connection with God. The continuous prayer life is presented not as a burden but as a privilege, a means by which believers stay rooted in Christ and live a life pleasing to Him, especially in anticipation of Christ's imminent return. It's about cultivating a spiritual rhythm that permeates all activities.
1 Thessalonians 5 17 Commentary
The command to "pray without ceasing" is a call to a life characterized by constant communion with God. It's not about vocalizing prayers every waking moment, which is impossible and impractical. Instead, it refers to maintaining an attitude of dependence, communication, and reliance on God throughout the day. This constant mindset allows God's presence and will to permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing our thoughts, decisions, and actions. It means approaching every situation, whether joyful or challenging, with a heart ready to engage with God in prayer, making prayer a foundational habit that undergirds all of life.
- Practical Application Example: Before making an important decision, silently asking God for wisdom. While working, briefly acknowledging God's provision and seeking His blessing on the task. During a difficult conversation, mentally bringing the situation to God for strength and guidance.