Pray without ceasing

There are many different languages spoken around the world. This is perhaps one of the more difficult aspects of travelling. It can be stressful to not understand what is happening or to feel like you can’t communicate freely. In this respect, prayer is unique. It is a universal language that is freely accessible to any person, in any place, at any time. We can be absolutely confident that the Lord hears every word. Nevertheless, like any language, an effective prayer life must be practised and cultivated. It is widely considered that the best way to learn a foreign language is total immersion. Prayer is no different. The apostle Paul said, ‘Pray without ceasing’. 1 Thess 5:17.

When we read the letters of Paul, we find that he never ceased to pray for all the churches. Writing to the Ephesians he said, ‘I do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers’. Eph 1:16. Similarly, he wrote to the Colossians, ‘We have not ceased to pray for you’. Col 1:19. In the same way, he encouraged all the churches to learn how to pray without ceasing.

It is quite obvious that nobody has the scope to spend all day, every day, on their knees. However, prayer is not limited to the times when we specifically draw aside to pray. These dedicated prayer times should be the highpoint, the climax, and the pinnacle of our prayer lives. But they are not the sum total of it. The times when we draw aside to pray will not be effective if they are not undergirded by an entire lifestyle and culture of prayer. This is why Jesus said, ‘Take heed, watch, and pray’. Mark 13:33. Learning to ‘take heed’ and ‘watch’ are the foundations of praying without ceasing.

We read in the book of Deuteronomy, ‘Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life’. Deut 4:9. This means that we should diligently guard our innermost attitudes and motivations. If we take heed to the way we respond in particular situations, or under certain pressures, we will be sensitive to what the Lord is saying. Jesus said, ‘Take heed how you hear’. Luke 8:18. If we cannot hear from the Lord, or equally, we simply forget whatever the Lord says to us, we will not know how to pray.

Further to this, we must also stay alert and watch. This will involve enduring through the night or the dark times of life, when we don’t see much at all. Nevertheless, we stay alert so that we are ready when the Lord comes to speak. The prophet Habbakuk resolved, ‘I will stand my watch, and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me’. Hab 2:1. A watchman will not always see something but they will be the first to see if something happens. A person who stays alert in the Spirit will know what the Lord is doing and, therefore, will know how to pray. If we take heed and watch throughout the day, we maintain an attitude of prayer even when we are busy with other things. This will make the time that we devote to prayer itself, like first up in the morning or last thing at night, so much more effective.

David Baker

Return to top

Feature Articles
April 2009

How does faith grow?

Behold the Lamb

Pray without ceasing

The springs of song

Holy to the Lord

Supporting identity

Why do we fast?

Making vows

Watch over your soul

Learning patience

God is. Great!