Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Thessalonians 5:17

17 Pray without ceasing .

This is a means to maintain our rejoycing, and therefore next mentioned. Prayer is a making known our requests to God, Phil. 4.6. And it is either mental in the heart only, as Hannahs was; or vocal, exprest with the voice: or as some add, vital; so good works have a voice to bring down blessings, as mens sins cry for vengeance.

Not as the Euchites and Messalians, of old, who hence thought no other duties were required, but alwayes Praying; but by the word in the Text, is either meant a praying without fainting, as in the parable, Luk. 18.1. and which the Apostle calls a perseverance in prayer, Eph. 6.18. Col. 4.2. [non-Latin text not transcribed], or praying with strength, as the greek word there imports, and so not to faint, so Rom. 12.12. Or a praying in every thing, as Phil. 4.6. In every thing let your request be made known, &c. Or, in every season, as Eph. 6.18. to take hold of the seasons of prayer. Or, in all seasons and times whether good or bad, yet still to pray. And all this is meant by the word in the Text, which is also used Rom. 1.9. 1 Thess. 1.3. and 2.13. and implies in general no more but a constant course of prayer, so Col. 4.[illegible: 1 letter]. to watch unto prayer as that the course of it be not interrupted by any diversions. As also to preserve an heart disposed to pray at all times: and to mingle ejaculatory prayers with the several actions of our lives, our wants are continual and God will be acknowledged in all our supplies, and therefore we ought to pray continually.