What Happens When You Stop Praying? – Pray Without Ceasing

Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17

Have you heard the verse that tells you to pray without ceasing?

I mean, how can anybody do that?

You have to sleep, eat, and work or go to school. You need downtime to relax.

No one can pray all the time.

So, what does it mean to pray without ceasing, and what happens if you stop praying? 

Let’s find out.

What Happens When You Stop Praying?

God tells you to pray, so when you stop for any length of time, you’re disobeying Him. However, “pray without ceasing” doesn’t literally mean you spend every waking moment talking to God, but praying throughout the day about all kinds of things. And when you neglect to pray, at least three things happen: you lose sight of God’s presence, give into temptation, and miss out on things He wanted to give you.

1. You Lose Sight of His Presence

God is always with you, but you distance yourself from Him when you stop praying. 

You may not even notice it for a while if you aren’t used to praying all the time.

I remember when I first wanted to pray more, it didn’t come easily. 

Even though I’d been a Christian for years, I wasn’t all that aware of God’s presence. I was not conscious of Him.

Therefore, I didn’t think about praying. 

However, with practice and time, as well as asking for God’s help, I became more aware of Him.

Not that I have mastered it, not even close, but I can honestly say I am more likely to turn to God now than in the past. I am better at praying for someone that comes to my mind out of nowhere–and asking for things I need right then, like strength, wisdom, peace, and rest.

It is a journey that all believers are taking.  

One thing that has gone hand in hand with prayer is God bringing to mind verses I have memorized in the Bible. I wish I knew more, but I’m also thankful for the Scripture I have hidden in my heart.

RELATED > > > > > What is the Best Way to Memorize Scripture – 5 Ways to Consider

2. You Give Into Temptation 

I often realize I’ve lost sight of God after giving into temptation.

For example, when I snap at my husband, complain, gossip with a friend, worry, or not quite tell the truth.

I’m more prone to believe lies that tell me I’m not good enough or people don’t like me. And my biggest is giving into discouragement. 

You will have your own temptations that seem to get the best of you. And when you give in, you have, at that moment, distanced yourself from God. 

It’s called sin.

Now, in this life, we will never get to the place where we stop sinning altogether.

But the more you pray and stay connected to God as you go through your day, the less it will be a problem. And the more you will overcome.

Prayer will be part of your transformation that as you renew your mind and stop conforming to the world.

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and perfect and acceptable.

3. You May Miss Out on Something God Wanted to Give You

Another reason you don’t want to stop praying is that God loves giving good gifts to His children.

That’s what the second half of Matthew 7:11 says: “…how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.” 

You may need strength just to get out of bed or wisdom for a difficult conversation you need to have. All of it matters to God.

Maybe you’re trying to sell your house, or your husband has cancer. God is listening and tells you to come to Him. He says in James 5:16, “The effective prayer of a righteous man (or woman) can accomplish much.”

Notice the verses don’t say you will always get what you ask for. But you can be assured that what you get is good from God’s perspective. And therefore it will be good.

And one chapter back in James 4:2, you’re told, “You do not have because you do not ask.”

So, Why Does It Say Without Ceasing?

To pray without ceasing does not mean you are talking to God every second of every day. 

The Bible often uses this type of language. Consider the following verses:

Luke 21:36 – Always be on the alert and pray.

Acts 6:4 – The apostles said, “We will devote ourselves to prayer.”

Acts 10:2 – Cornelius “prayed continually to God.”

Romans 12:2 – Be persistent in prayer.

Colossians 4:2 – Devote yourselves to prayer.

None of these verses say to pray continuously in the sense that you never do anything else.

What It Means to Pray Without Ceasing

If you don’t have to pray continuously, every second of every day, what do you have to do?

Pray about everything at any time. 

It can be praise.

For example, when you see a beautiful sunset or set aside time to praise God for who He is.

Setting aside time for praying is important, but to pray without ceasing is more than that.

It can be confession.

Sin distances you from God, but confession always closes the gap. You can confess as soon as you are aware. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Or you can pray as David did in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.”

It can be thanksgiving.

I have so much to be thankful for, but it doesn’t always come naturally to be grateful. It’s much easier to focus on the negative; it’s much easier to worry or complain.

So, for me anyway, I always try to include thanksgiving when I set aside time for praying. 

But also when I need peace. Whenever I’m fretting and realize I need peace, I’m reminded of Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Of course, being thankful to God when something good happens is often easier.

It can be intercession.

How many times do you say you will pray for someone and then forget? Or how often does someone come to your mind, and you ignore the thought or only think about them and then move on?

What if you prayed right then?

It doesn’t matter if you know what’s going on in their life or not because God knows. It may even be helpful to contact them to see how they are doing.

Intercession can be for missionaries, governments, nations, or specific people, both saved and unsaved.

Another aspect of intercession tied to praying without ceasing is not giving up. Sometimes you may be praying the same things for years with seemingly no answer.

However, Jesus told a parable in Luke 18 “to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart” (v.1).  

Remember, it’s a privilege to pray; that God is honored and is listening. He will answer in His way and His timing.

Maybe most important in intercession is praying for the spiritual needs of others.

It can be your own request.

We all have many things going on in our lives that we are better off praying about than trying to do on our own. 

However, we often try anyway before turning to prayer.

That’s all the more reason to pray without ceasing, to pray as easily as you breathe.

And if it helps, remind yourself it’s a privilege. You can also listen to the song in the video below, which says it’s a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. 

Everything to God in Prayer

Final thoughts

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The reason you pray is to connect with God. He is always with you. So prayer can happen anywhere at any time and for anyone.

When you stop praying, you break the connection. I’m not talking about stopping for a minute but neglecting to pray.

God is not saying to pray every second of every day but to make prayer an ongoing part of your life. You want prayer to be as natural as breathing.

However, it’s a journey.

On the other hand, it’s imperative to understand what happens when you stop praying: 

• You lose sight of His presence
• You give into temptation
• You might miss out on something God wanted to give you

You may be thinking, “I don’t know how to pray.” I recommend John MacArthur’s book,  Lord, Teach Me to Pray, based on the Lord’s prayer in Luke 11:2-4.