In 1 Thess 5:16-18 Paul tells us to: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
What is prayer without ceasing?
I define praying continuously as a mindset that believes that every thought, action and word is done in relationship to Jesus Christ. So that when you are at work you should “work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Eph 6:7 This then would qualify as praying continuously.
Praying continuously is paying attention to where your mind goes at all times. Joyce Meyer calls it “The Battlefield is the Mind.” We should “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Cor 10:5
How can I accomplish this?
I have some benchmarks along the path to help me remember this is what I am suppose to be doing. The first one I came up with was turning on the hourly chime on my watch. Every hour, on the hour, it reminds me that I am a child of God and that my thoughts, actions and words need to reflect this reality. I was initially concerned with what I would tell people if they ask me why my chime is ON. Now, I have grown into wanting them to ask me. I have had it on for 6 years now and only 2 people have asked.
Next, I began to place other things like stop lights and stop signs as reminders. One day I asked the Lord how do I “fill in” the places between the benchmarks? The answer came into my mind, not words in my ears, just a thought. Music. So I began to memorize music and sing songs to God when my mind was not needed to be otherwise “employed.” On my trip to
In “Practicing the Presence of Christ” by Brother Lawernce, you will find that he was singing while his mind was otherwise “employed.” I haven’t got to that level yet.
