# Where is “Pray without ceasing” in the Bible?

> “Pray without ceasing” is 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/pray-without-ceasing
By Andrew Kittridge · November 10, 2026

Paul writes it to the church in Thessalonica.

## The verse

> Rejoice always. Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for in Christ Jesus this is God’s will for you.
>
> — [1 Thessalonians 5:16-18](https://www.lumin.faith/read/1-thessalonians/5#16) (Lumin Translation)

These exact words are in the King James Bible. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here, and it words the verse differently.

## What it means there

It is one of three short commands in a row: rejoice, pray, give thanks. It does not mean saying prayers every minute. It means prayer that keeps coming back and never quits.

## Common questions

### Where is “Pray without ceasing” in the Bible?

“Pray without ceasing” is 1 Thessalonians 5:17. These exact words are in the King James Bible. The Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible, is quoted here, and it words the verse differently. Paul writes it to the church in Thessalonica.

### Is “Pray without ceasing” in the Bible?

Yes. It is 1 Thessalonians 5:17. In the Lumin Translation, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reads: “Rejoice always. Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for in Christ Jesus this is God’s will for you.”

### Who said “Pray without ceasing”?

Paul writes it to the church in Thessalonica.

### What does “Pray without ceasing” mean in the Bible?

It is one of three short commands in a row: rejoice, pray, give thanks. It does not mean saying prayers every minute. It means prayer that keeps coming back and never quits.

## More

- [Where is “Faith is the substance of things hoped for” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/faith-is-the-substance-of-things-hoped-for.md)
- [Where is “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/be-doers-of-the-word-and-not-hearers-only.md)
- [Where is “If we confess our sins” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/if-we-confess-our-sins.md)
- [Where is “He will wipe away every tear” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/he-will-wipe-away-every-tear.md)
- [Is “Aliens” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/aliens.md)
- [Is “Burnout” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/burnout.md)
- [Is “Dinosaur” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/dinosaur.md)
- [Is “Evangelism” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/evangelism.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)