1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice at all times. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.…
What does it mean to pray without ceasing? Is it possible to talk to God - without ceasing? I get asked about this often.
Praying without ceasing, I believe, means continual fellowship with God. It’s a MINDSET of prayer – being in His presence - regularly. It’s including Him in the ORDINARY moments of every day. Yes, I do believe it is possible - because I do it. It takes time and practice to develop.
The phrase “practicing the presence of God”, was coined by a 17th century Carmelite friar, Brother Lawrence. His writings were compiled in the book, “The Practice of the Presence of God”. Brother Lawrence insisted that, “To be constantly aware of God’s presence, it is necessary to form the habit of continually talking with Him throughout each day. To think that we must abandon conversation with Him (God) in order to deal with the world is erroneous. Instead, as we nourish our souls by seeing God in His exaltation, we will derive a great joy at being His.”
I set out many years ago, to develop this HABIT of continually talking with God. It took time, but the more I trained myself to include God in my daily tasks, the more I felt His presence with me, ALL – DAY – LONG!
Whether I’m working at my job, hiking up the side of a mountain, driving to the grocery store, gardening, or cleaning my house, I taught myself to talk to God during even the most mundane tasks.
These are just a few things I tell Him I’m thankful for.
· For His presence in my life – His companionship through the Holy Spirit.
· For the sacrifice of His son - for me.
· For what He’s doing in my life – for His Word, CONTINUALLY changing my heart.
· For both my kids, my blood family, AND my spiritual family.
· For my job – the ability to think and be productive.
· For His provision – income, food, my home, my car.
· For health and strength, so that I can climb up the mountains and enjoy His creation.
· For the weeds in my garden – because it reminds me how many weeds I have in my life, that only He can help me remove.
· I thank Him mostly - for Him.
It’s also during these times
· I bring my cares, my fears, and my brokenness to Him - I open my "inward parts" to Him.
· I pray for others that I have concerns for.
· I pray for the lost, for the leaders (both church, work and government).
· I ask for His wisdom - His help - His deliverance.
During these times, when I quiet my mind, He also speaks to me
· He brings conviction for those areas I’m weak and need Him most.
· He opens my mind and heart to His Word that I’ve consumed.
· He gives me His supernatural wisdom and understanding
· He speaks to me – impressing on my heart that He too loves me and that He too, is thankful - for me.
God ALWAYS meets me - wherever I am.
Psalm 51:6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
I encourage you to start today – in the ordinary moments of life – practice the presence of God.
“He does not ask much of us, merely a thought of Him from time to time, a little act of adoration, sometimes to ask for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, at other times to thank Him for the graces, past and present, He has bestowed on you, in the midst of your troubles to take solace in Him as often as you can. Lift up your heart to Him during your meals and in company; the least little remembrance will always be the most pleasing to Him. One need not cry out very loudly; He is nearer to us than we think.” ― Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God
Let us occupy ourselves entirely in knowing God. The more we know Him, the more we will desire to know Him. As love increases with knowledge, the more we know God, the more we will truly love Him. We will learn to love Him equally in times of distress or in times of great joy.” ― Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God
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