*1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
When prayer is understood to bring God to bear on every aspect of our lives, then we can be in a constant attitude of prayer because we live with a perpetual God-consciousness. This consciousness may regularly give rise to verbal prayers, but it should be ever-present. Prayer then is not a position of the body or a carefully arranged set of words to express religious sentiments. It is first and foremost an attitude of the heart and mind that seeks to make contact with God. (Tony Evans, Our God is Awesome, 1994. Chicago: Moody Press).
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1Thessalonians 5:16-18)Discover the Context
Identify Key Words
The three key command verbs are Rejoice, Pray and Give Thanks.
SUBJECT
Why does Paul command the Thessalonian Church to rejoice always, pray without ceasing and to give thanks in all circumstances?
COMPLEMENT
Paul commands the Thessalonian Church to rejoice always, pray without ceasing and to give thanks in all circumstances becuase it is God's will for them in Christ Jesus.
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Back to Basics...
The three commands in this verse are all closely connected. Joy is based off of the Believer taking the divine perspective for the situations in life, which in turn enables unceasing prayer and the constant thanking to God in all cirucumstances (even the bad ones). But of course, even Joy is a byproduct of the most imporant act: Intake of God's Word.
The Verb "Pray" (4336) is from proseuchomai. pros = toward, facing, before [emphasizing the direct approach of the one who prays in seeking God’s face] + euchomai = originally to speak out, utter aloud, express a wish, then to pray or to vow. Greek technical term for invoking a deity) in the NT is always used of prayer addressed to God (to Him as the object of faith and the One who will answer one’s prayer) and means to speak consciously (with or without vocalization) to Him, with a definite aim.
"Pray without ceasing" does not mean that we are to pray non-stop 24 hours a day. It comes from the
Greek word adialeiptos from a = negative + dialeipô = leave off, cease, leave an interval whether of space or time) means uninterruptedly, without intermission, constantly, incessantly, unceasingly, always, unintermittently, continually, without omission or without ceasing.
There are 4 uses of adialeiptos in the NT - Ro 1:9; 1Th 1:2; 2:13; 5:17. Adialeiptos is used to describe that which is continuously done - uninterrupted necessary payment of hard taxes, continual uninterrupted cough, repeated military attacks, continual failing of a military effort, regular and consistent production of fruit.
Adialeiptos is used only by Paul and always connected with prayer.
Adialeiptos describes that which is continuously performed. Pray every time an opportunity presents itself and be in a constant attitude of dependence upon God. It does not imply we should neglect everything and utter unending prayer or abstain from work and cloister ourselves in a monastery where we can constantly pray. But it does mean we are ready to pray at a "moment's notice".
We should pray to God throughout the day in the same way that we would talk with a close friend. When two people who know each other well work together, they start a conversation in the morning that lasts all day. The talk will not be continuous; there may be long periods of silence during which they may communicate with only looks or gestures. In the course of a day, their conversation may cover a hundred topics—politics, the meaning of life, what to have for lunch, the colors in a beautiful sunset.
When we finally realize that God is the best friend we have, our prayer life starts to take on this kind of flavor. We come to understand that there is nothing in our lives that we should not pray about. The more we listen to God by studying the Word, the better we understand His character; the better we understand His character, the more clearly we realize that there is nothing that we cannot rejoice in and give thanks about.
Communication is the key to a healthy relationship in the physical realm. Even so, our verbal exchanges with other people are never quite what we want them to be. Not one of us is able to fully express what we think or how we feel. Not one of us is able to fully understand or appreciate the thoughts and feelings that others try to explain to us. So in the physical realm there is always a certain amount of frustration and unfulfillment in relationships.
In the spiritual realm, we have potential for clear and fulfilling communication, for both understanding and being understood. God's Word to us is perfect. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it was perfectly communicated in exactly the form that we need. When we study, the Holy Spirit will enlighten the eyes of our heart so that we can understand what God is saying to us from this passage on this day.
Note: Always remember that sinerety plus ignorance leads to heresy and spiritual malpractice. Knowing precedes doing and this is especially true of prayer. The MOST important act for the Believer is the intake of Sound Doctrine through proper exegesis.
When we pray, the Holy Spirit will intercede on our behalf to the Father, expressing those things for which we cannot find words (Romans 8:26). And, if we have stored Scripture in our hearts (via a proper handling), the Spirit will be able to recall to our minds the words of God that we need at just the moment we need them. We have in the Christian way of life a perfect system. As long as we keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit and take in Doctrine, that system cannot fail.
*The majority of this entry was extracted a 30-tape series in 1988/9 called "The Basics." It was taught by a friend of ours Gene Cunningham from BAISC TRAINING BIBLE MINISTRIES. The additional comments/research added by RBAR.
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