PRAYER

 

"PRAY WITHOUT CEASING"

Scripture does not give a strict number of times we must pray each day, but it does show a pattern of regular, continual, sincere prayer.  In this study we will learn more about it.

How Often Should We Pray?

Continually / Daily

The apostles taught believers to pray continually:

“Pray without ceasing.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:17

This means living in continual communication with Yahweh — not endless talking, but a life of dependence, thanksgiving, repentance, and seeking Him throughout the day.

Morning and Evening

David often prayed morning and evening:

“Evening and morning and at noon will I pray, and cry aloud.”
— Psalm 55:17

Three Times Daily

Daniel prayed three times daily:

“He kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God.”
— Daniel 6:10

This was a faithful habit, not presented as a legal requirement.

Yeshua’s Example

Yeshua regularly withdrew to pray:

• Early morning prayer
  — Mark 1:35
• All-night prayer before major decisions
  — Luke 6:12
• Prayer before meals, miracles, suffering, and teaching

His life showed that prayer should be frequent and genuine.

How Should We Pray?

1. Pray Humbly

Not to impress others.

“When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are.”
— Matthew 6:5

2. Pray Privately and Sincerely

Yeshua taught:

“Enter into thy closet… pray to thy Father which is in secret.”
— Matthew 6:6

Prayer is about real fellowship with Yahweh, not performance.

3. Avoid Empty Repetition

Not meaningless repeated phrases.

“Use not vain repetitions.”
— Matthew 6:7

The issue is not repeated prayer itself, but empty mechanical words.

4. Pray According to Yahweh’s Will

“Thy will be done.”
— Matthew 6:10

Prayer is not commanding Yahweh; it is aligning ourselves with Him.

5. Pray With Faith

“Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
— Matthew 21:22

Faith includes trusting His timing and wisdom.

6. Pray With Repentance and Obedience

Scripture connects obedience and answered prayer:

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, Yahweh will not hear me.”
— Psalm 66:18

“Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments.”
— 1 John 3:22

7. Pray In Yeshua’s Name

“Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name…”
— John 16:23

Meaning through His authority and according to His character and teaching.

A Biblical Pattern of Prayer

A simple scriptural pattern could include:

• Praise and thanksgiving
• Repentance
• Seeking Yahweh’s will
• Praying for others
• Asking for daily needs
• Asking for wisdom and strength
• Watching and preparing spiritually

The Model Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13)

Yeshua gave an example pattern:

“Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil…”

This was given as a model and pattern, not merely words to repeat mechanically.

Overall Scriptural Picture

Scripture emphasizes:

• Regular prayer
• Sincere prayer
• Humble prayer
• Faithful prayer
• Obedient prayer
• Persistent prayer

Not a ritual number, but a continual relationship with Yahweh.