Two Ways to Pray Without Ceasing

by Charleen Burghardt

Is it possible to pray without ceasing? The Apostle Paul gave us a directive to pray without ceasing.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 NKJV).

Even before my feet touched the floor that morning, my mind raced through the day’s responsibilities. Beyond my to-do list of commitments and errands that clamored for my attention, I shouldered burdens for loved ones—those battling illness, a child struggling with mental illness, people who feel disconnected from God, and others facing seemingly insurmountable problems. My heart felt pinned beneath a crushing weight. I wondered, how am I going to get through this day

We all have mornings like that. Our minds fill with have-tos even before we get out of bed. Yet God meets us in those moments.

So many have-tos

That day, I remembered I could call on God for assistance and guidance with my tasks and worries—scripture answers. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6,7 NIV).

…but in every situation, by prayer and petition

I didn’t have eloquent words for a formal prayer, nor did I know exactly where to start. However, I took a deep breath and said what came to mind, letting my heart speak freely. My quiet plea was, “Please help me relinquish all my duties to you.” I whispered each concern as my feet hit the floor, feeling each worry float away with every step. An unexplainable peace began to wash over me, filling the spaces of uncertainty that had grown heavy in my soul. In that moment, I realized how burdensome it had been to carry everything alone. God would carry me through, and I could trust that, even in times of doubt, I was not alone on this journey. It was a profound reminder that sometimes the simplest words can hold the deepest meaning.

Peace Came

Throughout the day, I prayed silently as each need arose. Give me what I need, and please take care of this situation. God heard me, gave me what I needed, and provided grace. Thank you, Lord. Again, I recalled a verse: “Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer” (Psalm 4:1 NIV).

Have Mercy on me and Hear My Prayer

God is always present in our stressful days, bad-news days, fearful days, and even in days when we question. He offers an open invitation to come to his throne, and thus, we can pray with confidence. Hebrews 4:16 invites us, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

That day, I was aware of God walking beside me. I cultivated an ongoing, intimate relationship with my heavenly Father.

Ongoing, Intimate Relationship

Praying continually doesn’t necessarily mean speaking words aloud 24/7 while on our knees. It means maintaining sincere, continual dialogue and fellowship with God throughout the day. A stream of constant prayer, offered humbly, fosters companionship with the divine.

Brother Lawrence describes constant communion and adoration of God in a book, Practicing God’s Presence. Spiritual insights and conversations were compiled into a book after his death in 1691. This little book has changed the way many view prayer.

Here are two ways to pray without ceasing:

1. Whispered Prayers

One way to pray throughout the day is to offer whispered prayers. A whispered prayer barely rises above a breath. During the day, we lift requests, offer thanks, or converse with God, keeping us in a posture of prayer. As we whisper our thoughts, God hears. Prayer can be as simple or as intense as we want it to be.

How many times a day are we thankful for something? Whisper, Lord, thank you. Another way is a prayer of affection: “I love you, Jesus.“

One author, Tama Fortner, wrote that prayer doesn’t need lots of words. “Sometimes the biggest prayers have the fewest words.”  Prayer comes without pretense—simple and humble, with God accessible to all at any time of day or night.

The Biggest Prayers Have the Fewest Words

One example of a whisper prayer is found in the Old Testament, in the story of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:9-18). She was barren and went to the tabernacle pleading with God for a child. The priest, Eli, saw her moving her lips but heard no sound. He thought she was drunk when, in fact, she was whispering a prayer. God honored her meek prayer with a child the following year.

A softly spoken prayer can be as plain as “God, have mercy on me, a sinner,” as the tax collector prayed when he went to the Temple to pray (Luke 18:13). Jesus commended this tax collector for his unassuming prayer.

God, Have Mercy on me, a Sinner

Whisper a prayer in the morning or before drifting off to sleep. Nothing in our day escapes God’s notice. Our merciful heavenly Father hears our cries and responds with compassion. Offering a prayer of gratitude or a murmur for divine assistance throughout the day keeps us aware of God’s presence.

 I have a prodigal child, and I think of him many times a day. My stomach sometimes gnaws with worry. I whisper a prayer for my child throughout the day. Even when I am drifting off to sleep, my chest tightens when I think of the last lamb in my family. But the Holy Spirit reminds me that the Faithful One is present in my circumstances. I sigh, “Help, Lord. Seek him out.”

2. Breath Prayers

Breath prayers differ from whispered prayers because they are more formulaic and are repeated as brief, two-part phrases that match our breathing.  Breath prayers increase our consciousness of the holy, drawing us closer to Jesus.

The Desert Fathers and Mothers were early Christian mystics who lived in the desert between the third and fifth centuries. They practiced this simple form of prayer to quiet their bodies, focus their minds, and center themselves on God. As they prayed slowly and gently, they became more aware of Christ’s presence. An example of a short Breath Prayer that they developed and practiced was to breathe in “Lord Jesus Christ” and breathe out “Have mercy on me.” 

Breath Prayers Increase Our Consciousness of the Holy

This practice permits continuous prayer and keeps the mind attentive. Breathe in with a short Scripture or phrase and breathe out another one. For example, breathe in, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” Then, breathe out, “I shall not want.” Putting your hand on your chest as you breathe brings calmness. This practice can bring comfort and relaxation at the end of the day as you slowly breathe in and out a brief prayer.

Brennan Manning, a well-known Christian author, gained recognition for his teaching on breath prayer. He often prayed a simple prayer acknowledging divine presence. He breathed in “Abba” and breathed out “I belong to you.” (Experiencing Jesus: A Spiritual Retreat, San Diego, CA, 2004; see also his book, Abba’s Child).

Abba, I Belong to You

Jennifer Tucker’s book, Breath as Prayer: Calm Your Anxiety, Focus Your Mind, and Renew Your Soul, presents prayers from Scripture as breath prayers. The author leads the reader through the quiet, peaceful practice of praying short Scripture phrases as they breathe in and out. Her book suggests ways to pray verses as breath prayers. For more on breath prayers, visit Soul Shepherd.

Whispering a prayer as you go through the day or breath prayers are two ways to pray without ceasing.

Prayer:

Dear All-Present God,

Thank you for hearing my prayers throughout my waking hours. I want to keep a constant communion with you and depend on you for divine power. Create in me a consciousness of your presence all day.

Amen.