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"Pray without ceasing." How do you do it?

topic posted Sat, October 6, 2007 - 9:51 AM by  offlineJosh
Paul said that.
How are we to take it?
Even after allowing for hyperbole, can this mean anything less than frequent, daily prayer?

In Catholic seminary (--and I am *not* here arguing for a Catholic approach but sharing my experience), we had to say The Liturgy of the Hours, or Divine Office. We said Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer in common (as well as daily Mass). The LOTH is based on the Psalter, a four-week arrangement of the Psalms and other biblical canticles (-Isaiah, Jeremiah, Philipians, Ephesians, Colosians, Revelation). It seemed mechanical at first but now I treasure this way of praying.
I'm considering going to an evangelical seminary to finish my education, though I'm sure I would take my breviary with me. That's how I learned to pray daily, morning and evening, regardless. (I pray at other times of the day too, and I pray in other ways, but this is my bedrock.)

How do you approach the Scriptural command to "pray without ceasing"?
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Josh
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  • Josh
    Josh
    online 17

    Re: "Pray without ceasing." How do you do it?

    Sat, October 6, 2007 - 9:54 AM
    For those who do not know this verse, it is 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
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    • Dave
      Dave
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      Re: "Pray without ceasing." How do you do it?

      Sat, October 6, 2007 - 8:10 PM
      Hi everybody. I've been working a lot of hours, plus yard and house, but take a look now and then.

      Josh ,

      To me it means being in a continual conversation with God. Since He is always with me, it's because of me, not God, when I'm not achieving it.

      But your answer is a good, too.
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      • Re: "Pray without ceasing." How do you do it?

        Sat, October 6, 2007 - 8:53 PM
        I need to be reminded of this

        I am showing my faults here, but specific season, events, activities, or loss... I am with Dave's response.

        Its nice to be reminded to continue when I get wrapped up in work or a stress situation.


        again I'm putting myself out here as what NOT to follow as an example to your question...
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      • wyld...
        wyldstar
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        Re: "Pray without ceasing." How do you do it?

        Sun, October 7, 2007 - 7:46 AM
        Dave said "To me it means being in a continual conversation with God."


        I try to do this too. If I see someone who i think needs a prayer, I offer one up instantly, i believe it is getting thru. Sometimes I forget, and then life seems harder.
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        • Eric
          Eric
          offline 53

          Re: "Pray without ceasing." How do you do it?

          Sun, October 7, 2007 - 7:22 PM
          1 Peter 5:7 tells us

          "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

          Philippians 4:6-7 says

          " Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

          I constantly have things that I am concerned about. The daily challenges that I have are a constant reminder of the need that I have for God to be an active part of my life. When stress or even subtle concern arises in me, I quitely cast those cares on the Lord because I know he cares for me. Our prayers should not cease because our cares do not cease ;0)
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  • Peter
    Peter
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    Re: "Pray without ceasing." How do you do it?

    Sun, October 7, 2007 - 10:11 PM
    Many years ago I read a book called "The Way of a Pilgrim." It is the story of a young man who is specifically in search of the answer to this question. The answer he discovers is a form of prayer called the "prayer of the heart." There is a simple prayer that is the beginning, but its end is to grow into a constant mindfulness of God.
    This is also presented in the "Philokalia."

    Peace,
    Peter
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  • ruby
    ruby
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    Re: "Pray without ceasing." How do you do it?

    Thu, October 11, 2007 - 12:27 AM
    One thing I find it hard to pray all the time...this has been a good thread for me. At night I do , God is always in my consciousness but i struggle with prayer...Maybe because I still feel unworthy, or he isn't listening....from past issues. Or maybe I am lazy...I don't know but its all a journey and i don't want to come under condemnation as this is a biggy for me too being brought up in a religious hell fire and brimstone home. Still struggle with that God really loves me...but I will get there! Sometimes I just speak to God like a friend. My kids sometimes say "who are yo talking to mum'' and I say God..Thank goodness otherwise they would probably think I was mad!
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  • Joseph
    Joseph
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    Re: "Pray without ceasing." How do you do it?

    Thu, October 11, 2007 - 1:36 AM
    I've tried this discipline... which could be considered scriptural (a take on Eph. 5:19, I suppose)... I surround myself whenever I can with gospel music, and try to reherse (if only in my mind, when singing out loud is inappropriate) songs of praise. It just manifests an attitude of thankfulness to God that I can carry through most of the day... and that feels like a continual prayer.
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