Their joy was to be in the Lord, and it was to be unchanging

1 Thessalonians 3:9 “For what thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God,”

Philippians 3:1 “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.”

Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

To pray without ceasing means to invest oneself in regular extended and strenuous prayer

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 “We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Psalm 105:4 “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”

In everything give thanks to God

It does not ask for gratitude that is merely in proportion to the pleasantness of one’s circumstances.

Psalm 117:1 “Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples!”

Romans 15:11 “And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.””

our hope remains, and God continues his work in our lives