WISDWISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
OCTOBER 16 2025
TOPIC: WHY YOU SHOULD PRAY WITHOUT CEASING
BY T. O. BANSO
“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit” (James 5:17-18 New King James Version).
Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 that Christians should pray without ceasing. This doesn’t mean praying 24 hours daily, non-stop, but praying continually or perseveringly.
James 5:17-18 says, “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit” (New King James Version). Though the Bible does not give us the details of Elijah’s prayer to stop rain from falling, it gives us some information about how he prayed, and rain fell.
In 1 Kings 18:41-46, we can see that rain didn’t begin to fall immediately after Elijah started to pray. No. Seven times he sent his servant to go and look towards the sea, while he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, praying.
Six times his servants came back to tell him there was nothing – no sign rain was going to fall. But he kept praying and sending him back each time. He continued to pray, believing that there would be abundant rain as he had told King Ahab.
The seventh time, the servant came back to tell him there was a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea. Elijah knew that was the manifestation of the answer to his prayer. The sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was heavy rain. You must pray without ceasing; never stop praying. Your answer will finally come if you pray perseveringly and in faith.
Why You Should Pray Without Ceasing
1. So that God’s kingdom will come and His will shall be done on the earth. Jesus asked His disciples to pray in Matthew 6:10. You should pray continually for God’s kingdom to come and to enforce the will of God on earth, including His will in your life, home, community, nation, and the world in general.
2. Because the devil has not ceased from his work on the earth. He is going about like a roaring lion looking who he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He is like a thief who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10a). You must not cease praying when the devil has not ceased working.
3. To present your specific requests and those of your loved ones and others to God. There will always be issues you need God to intervene in. You must ask before you will receive answers (Matthew 7:7). “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6 New King James Version). James 5:13a says if anyone is suffering, he should pray.
4. For the deliverance of others in trouble. Intercessory prayer is needed for the deliverance of those in trouble. Ephesians 5:16b says the days are evil. When people are in trouble, they, most times, can’t pray. They depend on the faithful prayers of others. When Peter was in prison, guarded by four squads of four soldiers each, he needed the prayers of the church. The church earnestly prayed to God for him (Acts 12:5). Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries standing guard at the entrance when the angel of the Lord went to release him.
Don’t fail to pray without ceasing for people in trouble until they’re delivered. Paul said, “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:19 New King James Version).
5. To show love to your enemies. Jesus said we should love our enemies, not our friends alone. One way to demonstrate that love is by praying for them without ceasing, especially each time you remember how they’ve hurt, harmed, or wronged you. As Jesus said, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44). Before He died on the cross, Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34).
6. For peace to reign in the neighbourhood, city, state, and nation where you live (Jeremiah 29:7). Don’t wait until there is a threat to peace, violence, or insecurity before you start praying. Pray for peace and the sustenance of peace. Pray without ceasing for the peace of your country or city, just as the Bible says to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). Pray without ceasing for those in leadership so that you may live in peace (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
7. Because the harvest is plenteous, but the labourers are few. For this reason, Jesus said believers should pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2). Pray without ceasing for more soul winners into the Kingdom of God and for the salvation of sinners.
8. Because of the constant need to lift servants of God before Him. Paul wrote to believers to pray for him (1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1). He told Philemon that through his prayers and the prayers of other saints, he would be released from prison to them (Philemon 22b). Hebrews 13:18 says, “Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way” (New International Version).
The latter part of Jude 20 says you should pray in the Holy Spirit. Will you? Remember: “The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective” (James 5:16b World English Bible).
Pray without ceasing. You must always pray and not give up, as Jesus said (Luke 18:1). God responds to the persevering prayer of His people. Jesus said, “And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?” (Luke 18:7 New International Version).
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you must give your heart to Jesus now. Please take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your heart. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I invite Jesus into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, help me to labour continually in prayer and not be discouraged or tired. I receive the grace for my prayer to be powerfully effective. Holy Spirit, help me to be faithful in praying for others and not be selfish.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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