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. Commitments, errands, and concerns clamored for my attention. Beyond my own to-do list, I shouldered burdens for loved ones—those battling illness, a child struggling with mental illness, people far from God, and others facing seemingly insurmountable problems. My heart felt pinned beneath a crushing weight. I wondered how I was 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. We are offered 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, God walked beside me through everything I did. Through prayer, 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 fosters companionship with the divine. Also, humble, grateful prayers that express love for our Creator lead to companionship. Brother Lawrence describes constant communion and adoration of God in his book, Practicing God’s Presence.
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 wrote that prayer doesn’t need lots of words. “Sometimes the biggest prayers have the fewest words.” Tama Fortner. 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 of the shortest and meekest prayers in the Bible came from a Gentile woman who sought Jesus for the healing of her daughter, who had a demonic spirit. She approached Jesus and asked, “Have mercy on me,“ but Jesus did not reply (Matthew 15:22). The woman persisted, even though the disciples wanted her to leave. “Lord, help me,“ she said again (Matthew 15:25). Jesus answered her prayers and healed her daughter. Jesus heard her simple prayer: God, have mercy.
A softly spoken prayer can be as simple 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 humble 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. But the Holy Spirit reminds me that the Faithful One is present in my circumstances. I whisper a prayer for my child throughout the day. Other times, when I am drifting off to sleep, my chest gets tight when I think about the lost lamb in my family. I sigh, “Help, Lord. Seek him out.”
2. Breath Prayers
Breath prayers are another way to pray without ceasing. Breath prayers are brief, two-part prayers that match our breathing. The Desert Fathers and Mothers practiced this simple way of praying to center themselves, focus on God, and quiet their bodies. They prayed these prayers slowly and gently, sensing Christ’s presence. Breath prayers increase our consciousness of the holy, drawing us closer to Jesus.
Breath Prayers Increase Our Consciousness of the Holy
A short Breath Prayer, developed and practiced by the Desert Fathers and Mothers, was to breathe in “Lord Jesus Christ” and breathe out “Have mercy on me.”
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 quieting, peaceful practice of praying short Scripture phrases while breathing 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.
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