Pray Without Ceasing
by: Judi Amey

Saturday Ramblins, Vol. 1, No. 21 (October 10, 1998)

We live in the late 20th century. Most of us live insanely busy lives. Some of us make a commitment to spend time with our Lord every day: Bible study, prayer, spiritual reading. Others of us would like to have that time, but can never seem to fit it in. St. Paul tells us we should pray without ceasing (I Thes. 5:17), and many people – particularly those who work in education and healthcare – say their work in their busy lives, is their prayer. For the rest, I offer some suggestions.

I choose to rise earlier than I need to, giving me time to start coffee and quickly check the weather forecast that crawls across the screen during the news – I don't watch the news, I get the forecast and go.

From now until spring, I pray in the dark – save one candle. While the coffee brews, I light the candle and settle into my praying chair. From this place – if the light were on – I could see my wall crucifix, my cast of a blessed mother statue and images of two favorite saints. Beside this chair are a Bible, meditation books and a notebook and pen – but when it's dark, I don't often use them.

With my feet curled under me – for warmth now as well as comfort, my hands open on my lap and my eyes closed, I wait upon the Lord. Sometimes intercessions lead my prayers, or thanksgivings; but most often adoration comes first, being present to the Lord in his goodness – sitting silently wondering at creation, redemption and God's whole wonderful plan for His world. And, yes, at some point in time I realize the coffee is done and bring it into this prayerful presence.

I pray during the day. When you come into my office you might see me staring out the window or with my head against clasped hands or even mumbling under my breath as I key in a story. At those times I am, usually, praying.

As a "non-traditional" college student, I often pray – usually for guidance. Working on a religious studies research project, I pray often for help in bringing to light that which is truth and for a presentation usable to mainstream theologians.

I have a friend who is an "at home mom". We talked one day about how she could find time in her too busy day to pray. Her dear, sweet, inquisitive child – who talks nearly non-stop – keeps her quite busy just asking precocious questions. We explored times when he plays by himself; the most obvious time to her being when she's doing dishes. I suggested that she use that time for intercessory prayer. She usually has a long prayer list – so now she prays while she is standing at the sink washing dishes; after all, 15 minutes is better than none.

"Where there's a will, there's a way" – an oft heard phrase. If you are looking for more time for prayer in your hectic life, why don't you get up a few minutes early one morning, or go to lunch in a park by yourself and ask the Lord to show you where you can make time to pray. He'll give you a way to do it, I'm sure.

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