Head Dump: Prayer 6

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. NASB 95.
16 Rejoice always;
17 pray without ceasing;
18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Tonight, I spent some time talking about 5:17 with my wife and some friends. We got talking about how can we pray without ceasing when we are busy working (accountant, teacher, secretary, etc.)

My wife observed that what is important here is a heart bend towards obedience. Have I made it my purpose, before God, to pray without ceasing? If so, I can ask God for reminders, nudges, etc. to pray, or to return to prayer when I have gotten distracted.

One observation was that when this passage was written, most people had “hand” jobs as opposed to “mind” jobs. That is, most people were fisherman, farmers, servants, basket weavers, tent makers, and so forth. These are jobs that can be, for the most part, done while carrying on a conversation, with God, or with someone else.

Of course, not even in Paul’s time could anyone pray continuously.

Today, most jobs are “mind” jobs. That is, jobs that require prolonged thinking, for example: computer programming, nursing, legal work, social work, the pastorate, and so forth. Here, conversation is a distraction.

Praying without ceasing is not a law or obligation, but a heart bend to be with God. He will honor that heart bend, causing our minds to return to Him in moments of quiet. In other words, be free to pray, be free to work, be free to talk to friends, family, co-workers, and to God.