1 Thessalonians 5:17
New International Version
pray continually,

New Living Translation
Never stop praying.

English Standard Version
pray without ceasing,

Berean Standard Bible
Pray without ceasing.

Berean Literal Bible
Pray unceasingly.

King James Bible
Pray without ceasing.

New King James Version
pray without ceasing,

New American Standard Bible
pray without ceasing,

NASB 1995
pray without ceasing;

NASB 1977
pray without ceasing;

Legacy Standard Bible
pray without ceasing;

Amplified Bible
be unceasing and persistent in prayer;

Christian Standard Bible
pray constantly,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Pray constantly.

American Standard Version
pray without ceasing;

Contemporary English Version
and never stop praying.

English Revised Version
pray without ceasing;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Never stop praying.

Good News Translation
pray at all times,

International Standard Version
Continually be prayerful.

Majority Standard Bible
Pray without ceasing.

NET Bible
constantly pray,

New Heart English Bible
Pray without ceasing.

Webster's Bible Translation
Pray without ceasing.

Weymouth New Testament
Be unceasing in prayer.

World English Bible
Pray without ceasing.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
continually pray;

Berean Literal Bible
Pray unceasingly.

Young's Literal Translation
continually pray ye;

Smith's Literal Translation
Pray continually.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Pray without ceasing.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Pray without ceasing.

New American Bible
Pray without ceasing.

New Revised Standard Version
pray without ceasing,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Pray without ceasing.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Pray without ceasing.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
pray without ceasing;

Godbey New Testament
pray without ceasing;

Haweis New Testament
Pray without ceasing.

Mace New Testament
pray upon all occasions.

Weymouth New Testament
Be unceasing in prayer.

Worrell New Testament
pray without ceasing.

Worsley New Testament
Pray continually.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Christian Living
16Rejoice at all times. 17Pray without ceasing. 18Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.…

Cross References
Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:

Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.

Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

Matthew 6:6
But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

1 Timothy 2:1
First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—

Acts 1:14
With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

1 Samuel 12:23
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the good and right way.

Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Psalm 55:17
Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.

Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.

Psalm 88:1
A song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, day and night I cry out before You.

Nehemiah 1:6
let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.


Treasury of Scripture

Pray without ceasing.

Pray.

Luke 18:1
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Luke 21:36
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Romans 12:12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

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1 Thessalonians 5
1. He proceeds in the description of Christ's coming to judgment;
16. and gives various instructions;
23. and so concludes the epistle.














Pray without ceasing
Pray
The Greek word used here is "προσεύχομαι" (proseuchomai), which means to offer prayers or to worship. In the context of 1 Thessalonians 5:17, this word emphasizes the importance of maintaining a constant and ongoing dialogue with God. Prayer is not merely a ritualistic act but a vital component of a believer's relationship with the Lord. It is an expression of faith, dependence, and trust in God's sovereignty. Historically, prayer has been a central practice in both Jewish and early Christian communities, serving as a means of communication with God, seeking His guidance, and expressing gratitude. In a conservative Christian perspective, prayer is seen as a powerful tool that aligns the believer's will with God's will, enabling them to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

without ceasing
The phrase "without ceasing" is translated from the Greek word "ἀδιαλείπτως" (adialeiptōs), which means incessantly or without interruption. This does not imply that one must be in a constant state of verbal prayer, but rather that prayer should be a continual attitude of the heart. It suggests a lifestyle where prayer is as natural and regular as breathing. In the historical context of the early church, believers faced persecution and challenges that required them to rely heavily on God's strength and guidance. Thus, the call to pray without ceasing was both a practical and spiritual exhortation. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this phrase encourages believers to cultivate a persistent awareness of God's presence in their lives, allowing prayer to permeate every aspect of their daily activities. It is a reminder that prayer is not confined to specific times or places but is an ongoing conversation with God, reflecting a life lived in constant communion with Him.

(17) Pray without ceasing.--Theophylact well says, "This shows the way to 'rejoice always'--to wit, incessant prayer and eucharist, for he that has accustomed himself to hold converse with God, and to give thanks to Him over everything that happens as happening well, will evidently have unbroken joy." Though a man cannot be incessantly praying in words, the mind may be held continuously in an attitude of prayer, even in sleep (Song of Solomon 5:2).

Verse 17. - Pray without ceasing. The means of promoting religious joy is prayer. This prayer is to be "without ceasing," implying constancy (Colossians 4:2) and perseverance (Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Luke 18:1). This is not a mere precept "capable of fulfillment in idea, rather than in fact" (Jowett); but it is an exhortation to live in a devotional frame of mind. It is impossible to be always on our bended knees, but we may be in the spirit of prayer when engaged in the duties of our earthly calling. Prayer may be without ceasing in the heart which is full of the presence of God, and evermore communing with him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Pray
προσεύχεσθε (proseuchesthe)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4336: To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.

without ceasing.
ἀδιαλείπτως (adialeiptōs)
Adverb
Strong's 89: Unceasingly, without remission. Adverb from adialeiptos; uninterruptedly, i.e. Without omission.


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NT Letters: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 1 Thes. 1Th iTh i Th)
1 Thessalonians 5:16
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