“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, to “pray without ceasing.” For many of us this verse brings a bit of fear + anxiety as we contemplate exactly what is required of us to “pray without ceasing” and to “do it right.” We look at our busy schedules and think there’s no way anyone has that much time to do that much praying. We rehearse our failures again and again then decide God probably wouldn’t have much to say to us, and/or maybe He has not much interest in listening to what we want to say to Him, again. We let disappointment from one unanswered prayer keep us from asking again, ever been there, I have!

We let the beautiful prayers of others push our spiritual confidence into a corner, while we pout. There, the desire we did have to pray sits, shrivels and grows smaller with each passing day as we still pout + hesitate to say something, anything, to the God who does not grade or compare us on our prayers.

Our schedules nor our pasts should prevent us from talking to God about whatever concerns us. Our previous disappointments or our current level of spiritual maturity, shouldn’t get in the way of our willingness to speak freely + honestly about how much we need Him and what we’re thankful for. Prayer is simply our way to openly and honestly communicate with God. It involves our thanksgiving, repentance, requests and willingness to surrender everything to Him and allow Him to reveal whatever it is He wants to do in our lives and in our hearts.

It can be tempting to skip, forget about or even talk ourselves out of praying, but prayer is a key part of how we build and maintain our relationship with God Almighty. Our conversations with God should be a normal, ongoing part of our day and scripture encourages us to pray so we can keep the line of communication open with God, talking to Him at anytime about anything.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the ongoing opportunity I have to talk with You. Forgive me for times when I have not made my conversations with You a priority. Please help me remember I can always communicate with You openly and honestly, as You already know what I think, how I feel and what I’ve done and You love me anyway. In Jesus’ holy Name, Amen.