1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing
The Apostle Paul: From Persecutor to Prayer Warrior
Although Paul was not one of the twelve disciples, nor was he one of the seventy-two Jesus sent out on missions to minister, his zeal for following Jesus Christ is unparalleled. He openly admitted that he had been the chief sinner and, as a Pharisee, the chief persecutor of those who followed Christ. Yet after being chosen by Jesus, Paul became one of the greatest examples of what it means to be born again. If Paul were alive today, he would rightly be called a prayer warrior.
His devotion to prayer provides us with one of the shortest and most profound verses in the Bible: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). He taught us to let our requests be made known to God with prayer and thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). It was Paul who instructed followers of Christ to pray for all people—including political leaders—because when society is at peace, the Gospel can spread more freely (1 Timothy 2:1-2). But what is it about Paul’s prayers in Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians that align them with the will of God — and can do the same for us today?
Paul shows that prayer forms the foundation of the church—the body of Christ—by opening each of the aforementioned epistles with prayer. Regardless of the issues that prompted his letters to these churches, even though verse divisions were not a part of the original letters, we see that each begins with Paul praying. This shows how important he felt prayer was in correcting the course of a congregation. The modern church teaches that prayers should be made in order to correct the course of a person’s life, it even teaches to pray for others. There is a stark contrast between modern prayer and what we read in Paul’s Epistles.
Why Modern Prayers and Expectations May Not Align With God’s Will
Modern prayer takes “making requests known to God” and with it forms the sole foundation of prayer—focusing on material desires. Turning the promise that “God will supply all your needs through His riches in Christ Jesus”, into a service, rather than receiving it as a gift of grace. Another prayer that is common today is the “why me” prayer. Even though scripture teaches that trials, tribulations, and afflictions will come, many believers still find it strange when they do. Much worse, wavering faith has become common when prayers are not answered according to personal expectation. But if all of God’s promises are true, why aren’t more prayers met with the expectations they are made with?
The answer is shockingly simple. Paul’s prayers are faith-centered—driven by a desire to understand God, learn to be Christlike, and effortlessly receive God’s promises to His children. In Ephesians 1:17-19 he prays “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened: that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints: And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.”
Paul Prayed for Spiritual Enlightenment, Godly Discernment, and Christlike Love
When you pray for spiritual wisdom (James 1:5), the Holy Spirit can enlighten you to God’s will for your life—”the hope of His calling.” Scripture teaches that it is the Holy Spirit who gives spiritual gifts to believers (1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11-13). God has a plan for each of His children, and He provides them with the gifts needed to fulfill that plan. A deeply rooted faith is what positions us to receive “the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe”—the glory of God shining through the child of God. Not works, nor wishful thinking, only true faith aligned with God’s will.
In Philippians 1:9-11 Paul prays, “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment. That ye may approve things that are excellent, that ye may be sincere, and without offense till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God.”
This aligns perfectly with the will of God because God is love. Jesus even commands His followers to love each other as He loves them (John 13:34). When we pray to learn how to love — and that love begins to grow in us — we naturally start producing the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance. These traits keep us from being offensive, angry, or easily stressed. And when these traits emanate from us, others are far less likely to be offensive, angry, and stressful toward us.
Judgment in this prayer is not the judgment of people or situations. Instead, it refers to the judgment we use in our everyday lives when we make decisions. Paul is praying that the Philippians would make choices rooted in love — just as we are called to do today. When our decisions flow from love for God, love for others, and even a healthy love for ourselves as God’s creation, we make choices that we are far less likely to regret later. Decisions that may not please everyone, but they will align with God — and that alignment is what produces sincerity, purity, and the “fruits of righteousness” Paul speaks of.
Are not these the exact traits most people seek for their own lives?
Why Praying for Spiritual Wisdom, Understanding, and Love Aligns Your Heart With God’s Will
Colossians 1:9-12 encompasses all of the previous prayers, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding: that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God: Strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness.”
Although Paul prayed these prayers to those he ministered to, he was also instructing them on how to pray for themselves—and we too should pray in the same way—for spiritual wisdom, understanding, and love. We pray for spiritual wisdom to discern the path God has prepared for us, positioning us to receive His promises and our heart’s desires. We pray for spiritual understanding so we can learn God’s ways and grow to be Christ like. And we pray for love, so that by producing the fruit of the Spirit, others see God shining through us.
Timeless Prayers in a Temporal World
We do not need to pray for God to give us material things in this temporal world that He has already provided for us in the spiritual realm. Instead, we pray for the spiritual wisdom and guidance to manifest what He has already promised. When our prayers align with His will, His blessings unfold in our lives, effortlessly by walking in the Spirit.
Paul’s prayers are timeless and remain spiritually relevant to the believer’s walk with Christ today. Through them, we learn to petition God for peace in times of tribulation, for love to be rooted in our hearts, and for strength in Christ during seasons of adversity. The following Scriptures represent only a few of his prayers—timeless reminders of God’s grace and presence in our lives, and our duty to one another in the body of Christ.
Paul’s Prayers for Peace, Love, and Strength in Christ for God’s Children
Romans 15:5-6
“Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 1:4-9
“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.”
Galatians 1:3-5
“Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
Philippians 4-6,7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
A Prayer for Spiritual Enlightenment
Father God in Heaven, I thankfully pray for all that You are and how wonderfully and fearfully You made me to be. I pray that my heart grows in love so that in me You are seen. I pray that my spiritual understanding deepens giving me greater understanding of Your ways, and into Christ Jesus who lives in me. I pray for abounding wisdom in Your Word and into Your path for my life, so that I may be a good and faithful servant, and a blessing to others. In the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Trinitarian Benediction
As you petition God according to your season, may His grace settle your heart.
May the strength of Christ enable you to overcome temptation and tribulation.
And may the Holy Spirit lead you into truth, love, understanding and compassion.