Pray Without Ceasing
August 8, 1999
What does it mean when it says “pray without ceasing?” Perhaps our first reaction is – “Well, it can’t be taken literally. No one can pray without ceasing.”
What makes us think this way?
First and foremost, it is our tradition and habit. We have never done it before and probably never known anyone who did, so therefore…. We pray at certain times such as bedtime, meals and meeting. So our tradition and habit teaches us that there are times to pray. If this is true, we can’t do it all the time.
Second, we have a specific format to prayers. We end prayers with “Amen” right? This means an end to the prayer. If the prayer has a finish point, you can’t pray without ceasing. The Lord’s Prayer teaches us a format. It has a beginning, a middle and an end. All of these things lead us to believe that prayer is not continuous.
Maybe we need to rethink things for a second.
What is prayer? Is it a ritual? It is something we say at the right time and place? Do we find ourselves saying the same thing over and over with no thought or emotion?
Prayer, in its simplest terms, is talking to God. Most of us talk to ourselves or think to ourselves all the time. The question is – Why don’t we include God in this conversation?
Perhaps this is the answer to the exhortation to “pray without ceasing.” Prayer is not a ritual, but a way of life – a constant conversation with God. Our thoughts include him all the time. We are not limited by time, subject or form.
When we rethink things we realize there really is no limit on time for prayer. You can pray anytime of day. You can pray in the car. You can pray while taking a shower. You can pray before than important meeting. You can pray IN that important meeting!
There is no limitation on the subject. Is God too busy to be included in even the smallest details of our life? Shouldn’t we talk to him about everything. He knows how many hairs there are on our head, why wouldn’t He be concerned for the details of His children’s day. It is not like He only has the time for the “big” things!
Do we have to have a certain form? Do we have to include an “amen” to make it valid or say we pray through Jesus’ name to make it count? Certainly there are examples of forms prayers in the Bible. Just as numerous are examples of prayers without noticeable form or that don’t end in “Amen.”
Similarly, there is no one place to pray. Is any place inappropriate to pray? Probably not! There are certainly inappropriate places for us to be. However, if you find yourself in one of those places, I would suggest that there is no better place or time to pray than right then and there.
So what does it mean to me to “pray without ceasing?” It means to talk to God all day about everything. Make it a habit to include Him in everything you are doing and thinking. Talk to Him while you drive, while you shower, while you do yardwork. Make Him real in your life!
Paul follows his thought on prayer with one I will leave you with: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Have a prayerful week!
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