“Pray without ceasing.” (1st Thess. 5:17)
I have a book in my possession about a man of God who lived almost a thousand years ago in what was known as a cloister, unrelated to the Romanist ideology in this respect. When it was time to go to his room to pray twice a day, he obeyed, but could see no reason to, for he was in constant contact with the Lord, he prayed without ceasing.
I do not disagree that there are certain times when we should enter into our closet to seek the face of the Almighty apart from any interference from the world, and although I do not judge my brothers and sisters in Christ for doing the following, I personally do not see a reason to assume the prescribed position of eyes closed, hands together and head bowed.
I see few outside of the Charismatic cult holding up “holy hands” and staring upwards, but I believe that sometimes that reverent posture previously mentioned is not done in adoration or humility to the Most High, but simply because it is what these people have been taught is the proper stance.
“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” (Matt. 6:7)
Praying without ceasing infers an almost continuous conversation with the Lord, a contemplation on His will and Word that can only occur when we study His Word, it is how in this regard our minds are transformed.
Inevitably you will question what you have read in the Scriptures, and so we pray for answers, for His truth to be revealed to us, and we patiently await His answers, fulfilling Luke 21:19.
“In your patience possess ye your souls.”
We pray for and give thanks for our daily needs, we make our requests known to Him who already knows all, diligently searching within ourselves to ensure these requests, these wants, are in line with His will.
“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Heb. 13:15)
Lifting up His name, exalting Him above the heavens, this too is prayer without ceasing, and I have yet to have spent one day in the many decades since He called me to Himself unable to find at least one thing in that day that was not worthy of His praise.
There has always been something.
I fear that far too many spend more of their prayer time concerned with wants, and those for personal reasons, than they do in prayers of thanksgiving, on matters of self instead of a thy will be done attitude. For help, for guidance, for truth, all are worthy prayers, but to neglect to give thanks, even when those prayers are not answered as we would desire, offers little proof of complete reliance on the Lord, and instead reveals a heart that, while it may not always be considered selfish, may reveal one whose only desire is for prayers to be answered for personal reasons.
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” (James 1:6)
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” (James 4:3)
A life of contemplation, a life of praying without ceasing must be done in the wisdom that only the Lord can bless you with, it must strive to be a life that seeks His glory, one that contemplates His Word and will, not our personal desires outside of His will. It is a life that always ends one’s prayers of requests with the same words our Savior used.
“Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42b)
There is absolutely nothing wrong with entering into your closet, but you must consider this, if you are praying without ceasing, what is the purpose of that closet?
“And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.” (Matt. 14:23)
There is your answer, just you and God, praying to the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. No interruptions, no outside interference, just you and the Lord having a heart-to-heart conversation.
There are few times that He enjoys more than that with us I believe.
