Pray without Ceasing

To me, the most challenging verse about prayer is 1 Thess 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.”  Whatever our job is throughout the day, regardless of what our calling may be, we are all called to pray without ceasing.  How can we do that?  Joel Beeke helps us understand it by suggesting four things:

1) Maintain an attitude of prayer throughout the day.  If prayer is like a phone conversation…just never hang up!  

2) Establish set times throughout the day.  Develop rhythms.  The Jews prayed three times a day, the monks pray 5 to 7 times a day.  Start your day with prayer, pray at each meal, pray before you go to bed and suddenly you’ve prayed five times a day.  Find other times and watch your spiritual growth.

3) Saturate the routines of earthly life with thoughts of heaven.  As you get dressed, pray for the Spiritual Armor; as you shower, pray for God to cleanse you from sin; as you eat, ask God to feed your soul…you can find a spiritual application for almost anything you do.

4 ) Be alert and ready to pray at any time.  If you hear a siren, pray for the emergency.  If you pass a church, pray for their revival.  When you go to work, pray for your co-workers.  Pray inwardly while the outward man is busy with your daily tasks.