Pray Continually

Christian Working Woman Transcript

Thursday, November 01, 2007 - Missions Impossible of Scripture- PRAY CONTINUALLY


First Thessalonians 5:17 is one of the shortest verses in the Bible. It simply says, Pray continually. Packed into those two words is another mission impossible. How in the world can we pray continually?

Does that mean we become cloistered like monks and pray night and day? Even so, we couldn't literally pray continually, could we? We'd have to eat and sleep. Well, part of the problem here is that we misunderstand what prayer is.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:18 to pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayer. Certainly we should have daily times of quiet solitude when we're alone with God in prayer. That's one kind of prayer. But all through our day, no matter what we're doing, our hearts should be in an attitude of prayer, so that throughout the day we're breathing prayers and staying in touch with Jesus. That's another kind of prayer.

For instance, when you hear news reports of some terrible thing or a tragedy that has happened to someone, just stop at that moment and breath a prayer for that person or that situation. When a friend or family member is struggling or hurting, as you think of them during the day, turn your thoughts into a prayer for them.

Praying continually means we are continually in the attitude of prayer, and when our minds have a free moment, we use those moments to send up a prayer. Now, in order to be able to do that, we have to have those quiet times of prayer, where we have established that firm and trusting relationship with the Lord. This is not a substitute for secluded prayer time. But it's another kind of prayer, and I think it's one of the most wonderful benefits of being a Christian. To be able to stay in touch all day long with the Living God, just by breathing a prayer–what an incredible joy that is.

This is not mission impossible; this is privilege incredible. Pray continually; look for those little breaks when you can snatch some prayer time. You'll be surprised how many you'll find. Commute time, lunchtime, or right while you're working–pray continually. It sure makes a difference in your day when you do.