Pearls of the Word

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Pray without delay

by Jean-Louis Coraboeuf

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing [adialeiptos], in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

The Greek word a-dialeiptos means 'without delay', 'without interval'; it comes from the Greek verb dialeipo meaning 'to let the time pass', 'to allow some time in the interval'. Thus the apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to pray without delay or not to postpone what needs to be done immediately.

Paul also wrote to the Ephesians, "Through all prayer and petition, pray each time [kairos] in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18 Interlinear). It is not about praying all the time but only when the Holy Spirit leads us to do so in God's kairos time, and that without delay because it is part of God's will for His intercessors.