The Way of a Pilgrim (Pray Without Ceasing)

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul advises us to “pray without ceasing” (or to “pray continually” in the NIV translation of the Bible).

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I recently started reading a book we are discussing in a fellowship group (http://www.legacyinspirations.com). The book is titled “The Way of a Pilgrim” (ISBN: 0-932727-26-3 for hardback). I’m only into chapter 2, but the book is about a Russian pilgrim from the mid-1800s who embarked on a mission to learn how to pray without ceasing. After hearing mention of the 1 Thessalonians passage in a sermon, he hungered to learn what unceasing prayer was and how to accomplish it, which led him to The Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,” which he was told is a simple summary of the Gospel) and to a life of prayer and pilgrimage.

In my book “Simply Balanced” (ISBN: 978-0-9794248-1-6), I discuss preparing for Jesus’ return, highlighting the 1 Thessalonians 5 section that mentions continuous prayer (verses 12-18 are titled “Final Instructions” in the NIV) (I will be expanding on this section in the accompanying workbook, which is in development). Continuous prayer is one of the ways to prepare for our Lord’s return (among many other things we should be doing — for example, be patient, be joyful, test everything, respect others, and give thanks, to name a few). “Pray continually” appears in verse 17, appropriately, I believe, sandwiched between “be joyful always” and “give thanks in all circumstances.” Prayer leads to joy, and we give thanks through prayer. How does the song go? “Give thanks with a joyful heart…”

Not only is prayer important, prayer is ESSENTIAL. I honestly do not believe we can find any kind of balance whatsoever in life without putting prayer first. It sounds so counterintuitive to “the world,” which places so much value on getting tasks accomplished. Taking action IS important – if God calls you to complete a task, you need to DO it. However, you still need to put prayer and a relationship with Jesus FIRST. Sacrificing your relationship with God to fulfill a task He calls you to is not the way to accomplish anything (and God will teach you that, possibly in painful and frustrating ways, by making the task difficult, possibly even causing you to wonder why He called you to it in the first place). That’s because He wants you to learn to pray first, THEN fulfill the task(s) to which He has called you. He wants you to love Him and have a relationship with Him first and foremost. Then, out of obedience, you follow His will, performing the tasks to which He calls you.

Too many of us get caught up in the acts themselves. The danger with this lies in the risk of forgetting who has called us to the deeds in the first place, losing our relationship with and trust in God, and placing trust in ourselves instead. Big mistake!

Sometimes I find myself falling into this worldly trap – working so hard at GOD’S tasks. But then I start praying less (I just have SO much God has called me to do!)… like I’m the only person in this world who’s ever been busy (yeah, right!). Little wonder, then, that I get exhausted and overwhelmed trying to do so much. I need to MAKE TIME FOR PRAYER first! Even further still, I need to PRAY CONTINUALLY (without ceasing, as the Pilgrim learned). I need to always reach out to God with my heart, in everything I do, say, think, feel, with my entire being — even while I sleep.

We are not all led to be pilgrims or hermits, living alone praying. But we are all led to pray continually, no matter what else we do (no matter what our calling). God has led me to these 1 Thessalonians 5 passages multiple times (first in Bible study, which led me to include the steps of preparation in my book, and second in hearing of a Pilgrim’s journey so long ago). God obviously has a lesson for me in these verses (multiple lessons, I’m quite sure!), and one lesson is to first recognize that I need to pray continually, and then to practice such prayer, growing deeper in communion with God the more natural it becomes.

In the book “The Way of a Pilgrim,” the Pilgrim learned the value and necessity of praying ceaselessly, and we need to learn it today, too. Ceaseless prayer is not a practice only for 19th century monks or pilgrims, and you don’t have to be a pilgrim today to practice it. All you have to be is a sinner who needs Jesus, and that includes all of us!

(By the way, the Legacy Inspirations group knows a modern-day pilgrim! Our friend Pilgrim George is currently walking through NY, somewhere between Livingston Manor and Windsor. Check out http://raeshomepage.bravehost.com/pilgrim.html, http://blog.syracuse.com/news/2007/06/he_walks_miles_for_god.html, and http://legacyinspirations.com/pics/index.html. Meeting him, I know what is meant in the book about such a life leading you to be quiet and calm. He is the kindest, calmest man I have ever met, and it is obvious he is in deep communion with the Lord. Some of us may never display that kind of tranquility, as some of us are just naturally more hyper people, but ceaseless prayer can help us all accept life without complaint, be more joyful, and grow calmer and more trusting in God. And God’s light and love will shine from within us! How glorious to behold!)

1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Final Instructions
12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22 Avoid every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

25 Brothers, pray for us. 26 Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.

28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.