Is It Really Possible to Pray Without Ceasing?

What Does “Pray Without Ceasing” Even Mean?

So let’s be real—when you first hear “pray without ceasing,” your brain probably says, “Wait, what? Like, non-stop? All day? While eating? Showering?!” Yeah, I had the same reaction. It sounds impossible, borderline absurd even. Like, how are you supposed to talk to God 24/7 and still pay your bills, answer emails, or deal with Karen from accounting?

But here's the thing—this phrase comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:17, a letter Paul wrote to the early church. And no, Paul wasn’t out there whispering prayers while brushing his teeth. It’s not always about verbal prayer. It's more of a constant posture—a mindset of openness, of awareness that God’s with you, even in the mess.

I remember talking to my friend Jenna about this. She's a barista-slash-seminary-student (yes, that combo exists), and she said something that really stuck: “Praying without ceasing isn’t about lips moving, it’s about the heart listening.” That hit different.

Can You Actually Do It? (Short answer: kinda, yeah)

Reimagining Prayer Beyond Words

Here’s where I changed my mind a little. I used to think “unceasing prayer” meant literal, nonstop talking to God. And I thought, “No way. My brain barely stays on one thought for five minutes.”

But over time, I’ve learned it’s more like a rhythm, not a rant. Like when you’re listening to music while cooking. It’s there in the background, coloring everything, even if you're not consciously singing along every second.

So yes, I believe you can pray without ceasing—but not in the way most people think. It’s more like carrying a low hum of awareness, a whisper in your soul that says, “I’m here, God. I know you’re here too.”

Everyday Moments Count

Think about it: prayer doesn’t have to be fancy. You can mutter “help me” while walking into a tough meeting. You can thank God while folding socks (ugh, socks). You can whisper hope when a friend texts you with awful news.

I once prayed while stuck in traffic for an hour on I-5. Not a formal, bow-your-head kind of thing. Just... ranting to God. Venting. Laughing at myself. Cursing a little. (Okay, a lot.) And oddly? That felt like one of the most honest conversations I’d had in weeks.

The Struggles No One Talks About

Feeling Like You're Failing at Prayer

I’m gonna be real: there are days when I don’t pray at all. Days when I’m too tired, or just... numb. And I feel guilty about it. Like I’m failing some spiritual expectation.

But maybe that guilt is the sign of someone who actually wants to stay connected. And that desire? That counts. Don't beat yourself up. Even the longing to pray is, in itself, a kind of prayer.

The Danger of Turning Prayer Into a Checklist

Here's another mistake I made (and maybe you do too): treating prayer like a to-do. "Did I pray today? Yep, check." But if it's just another task, it becomes dry. Dead.

God’s not holding a stopwatch. He’s not grading you on word count. It's not about performance. It’s about presence.

Habits That Can Actually Help

Anchor Points in Your Day

You don’t need a monastery schedule to build a prayer life. Start with little anchors. Morning coffee? Say a few words. Stuck in line? Offer thanks. Before bed? Exhale everything you’re holding.

I’ve started keeping sticky notes with simple phrases like “God, remind me You’re near” on my laptop, my mirror, even my phone case. It helps me re-center, without needing an hour and Gregorian chants.

Breathing Prayers

This one’s weirdly powerful. Match short prayers to your breath. Inhale: “Jesus, have mercy.” Exhale: “On me, a sinner.” Do that for 60 seconds. You’ll be shocked how deeply it hits.

Final Thoughts (and a tiny confession)

If I’m honest? I still don’t know if I’ve figured out how to “pray without ceasing.” Some days it feels like I’m faking it. Other days I feel weirdly close to God even while doing dishes. It’s messy. Inconsistent. Beautiful, in a crooked way.

But maybe that’s the point. Maybe “unceasing prayer” isn’t about perfection. Maybe it’s just about not giving up. About showing up—again and again—messy, tired, distracted… but willing.

So yeah. Maybe it is possible to pray without ceasing. Just not in the way we first imagined. And honestly? That’s kind of a relief.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.