davidbowerkingwood

For many years I have had a pattern of prayer which, I discovered, is called conversational prayer. For me, praying all during the day seemed like what I wanted to do but I didn’t have a name for it.

It was only later, when I was reading an article by a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, that I saw it described as conversational prayer. I was instantly comforted by the thought that I was not the only one who felt compelled to pray at various times all day long.

I’ll confess that much of my prayer life is thanking the Lord for his loving grace and rejoicing in him for all he has done for me. I see his hand everywhere I look and am often flooded with gratitude for so many things; I rejoice in the fact that I am his creation and exist by him and for him!

Today I got a devotional which I wanted to share with my readers; it was written by Jeff Wells whom I’ve mentioned before.

Unceasing Prayer

Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17

“This three-word command seems impossible at first glance, yet we know that our Father doesn’t give us commands to defeat us and frustrate us. He gives us commands for our good. What is God telling us here?

Be in an attitude of prayer all the time. Live your life in the presence of God. Realize that God is right there with you throughout the day and throughout the night. Sense his presence. Remember his presence. Enjoy his presence. Talk with him. Talk with him a lot. Throughout the day.

The idea is an ongoing conversation – talking, listening, singing, thanking, asking, interceding, praising, confessing, laughing, weeping. It is a life lived in God’s presence, enjoying God throughout the day.

Maybe it’s a bit like a persistent cough. That cough is in your throat throughout the day, ready to erupt in an actual cough at any moment. Similarly, we are in an attitude of prayer throughout the day, ready to erupt in an actual prayer at any moment.

We’re driving to work, talking with God about our day, about a project, about a conflict, about an important meeting. We’re playing with our preschooler on the living room floor and we breathe a prayer of thanksgiving. We’re at our desk, working away, and we pray for wisdom at various points. We’re walking to our car and remember a friend who needs a job and we lift our friend to God. We’re driving to the grocery store with a worship CD in the stereo and we’re singing to God.

It’s life lived before God. It’s not a burden. It’s not so much a discipline to practice, but an attitude to adopt. “God is here, with me, right now, and all the time!”

“Lord, teach us to pray. Teach us what it means to live life in your presence, praying without ceasing.”

Jeff Wells, WoodsEdge Community Church