Thomas Aquinas, on 1Thess 5:17

“Pray without ceasing.”

“Secondly, to pray for the blessings they want to receive. Paul urges, pray constantly. "They ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Lk. 18:1). How is this possible? It may happen in three ways. First, that person who does not neglect the appointed hours for prayer, prays always. "You shall eat at my table always" (2 Sam. 9:7). Secondly, "Pray constantly" means to pray continuously. But then prayer is considered under the aspect of the effect of the prayer. For prayer is the unfolding or expression of desire; for when I desire something, then I ask for it by praying. So prayer is the petition of suitable things from God; and so desire has the power of prayer. "O Lord, thou wilt hear the desire of the meek" (Ps. 10:17). Therefore, whatever we do is the result of a desire; so prayer always remains in force in the good things we do; for the good things we do flow forth from the desire of the good. There is a commentary on this verse pointing out: "He does not cease praying, who does not cease doing good." A third way by which it is possible to pray without ceasing is through the giving of alms which may be a sort of cause of continual prayer. In the lives of the Fathers we read: "He who gives alms is the one who always prays, for the person who receives alms prays for you even when you are asleep."”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.