HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div
Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Pray without ceasing.— 1 Thessalonians 5:17
How can a person “pray continually”? Is that possible?
At first, we might think this command means we should be kneeling or bowing our heads and praying with our eyes closed 24/7. But thinking of prayer only in terms of certain actions or postures can really limit our understanding. Prayer is so much more!
We’ve been looking at prayer throughout the period of prayer and fasting as a matter of the heart. This means prayer is not an activity that is different from all the other things we do. It’s directly connected to every aspect of our lives, for the enjoyment and the deepening of our relationship with God.
Many years after my passing, I hope that some of my writings and prayers will be remembered. That my work on this website continues to express my desire to love God and to think about God all the time. Like many of us, also chided ourselves for neglecting prayer. But even frustrations with prayer is a way of praying!
Any time that we think about or are made aware of God and are moved to respond, we engage in prayer. As someone said, “You can always have a word with God.” That can happen when we enjoy God’s presence or when we crave it; it can happen in momentary bursts of gratitude, sporadic intercession, and silent desire. Continual prayer is the steady beat of a heart turned toward God.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for giving us so many different ways to pray. Keep us close to you, in Jesus. Amen.
