Pray Continually

People say that the shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35: Jesus wept. But I think there is a tie. 1 Thes 5:17 says, Pray continually. Both verses, with just two words each, are profound. We would not expect the King of kings, and Creator of the universe to cry. Paul wrote, “All things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Yet at the sight of His friends grieving, Jesus was overcome with sorrow and wept.
Have you ever tried to pray continually? If you did, I’m guessing you found it too difficult. In the traditional sense of the word, praying is a matter of stopping what you are doing to bring a need or concern to God. When you are finished praying, then you go back to what you were doing. For years, I prayed this way, If that is what prayer is, the command to pray continually would be impossible for the simple fact that we must eat, work, pay bills, etc. Because of this traditional definition of prayer, many people believe that Paul’s statement should be translated, “Pray as often as you can.”
But I find no need to water down the meaning of Pray continually. Rather, I have learned to broaden my definition of prayer. Prayer is conversation with God, who is always listening. This type of prayer is only possible for Christians. Jesus said,
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends because everything I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” Jn 15:15
Being a friend of God—by His own admission-–means He will always be there for you, longs to spend time with you, and is eager to converse together. Also, He has given you His Spirit, who is the mind, voice, and will of God. The Holy Spirit is a catalyst that immediately gives life to your prayers.
These days, I think of praying like I think of breathing. No one would question the statement, “Breathe continually,” as if that were impossible. No, it is as natural as can be. Likewise, conversing with the Holy Spirit as you go through a day can take on the same rhythm. Breathe out: Speak to God. Cast your cares upon Him. Ask Him what He thinks. Tell Him what you think. Express your misgivings and your joys. Praise Him for who He is and what He has done. Breathe in: Listen for His response. Sense the peace that He promised to give you. Read His word and take it into your heart. Memorize verses that He draws to your attention. Breathing in is receiving. Breathing out is expressing. It is the back and forth of a beautiful conversation between two friends who love each other and relish spending time together.
When you engage in this type of prayer life with God, through His Spirit, something will begin happening to you. You will take on the Spirit’s emotions. I cannot explain it any other way except to say that you will find yourself weeping, laughing, or otherwise, unexpectedly. Your relationship with the Spirit becomes so close that the border between the two is blurred. There have been times when I was crying and I knew it was really Him. There was joy in those tears because of Him! I think this is what happened to Jesus when He wept. He already knew that He was going to raise Lazarus. He was about to turn their grief into joy! Still, Jesus found Himself overcome. The Bible says He was “deeply moved in sprit and troubled” when He saw Lazarus’ sisters weeping. It was a move of the Spirit, expressing the heart of God for His friends. God feels your pain and sorrow, and promises to turn your mourning into dancing. Some of that will take place in this life—some in the next. Meanwhile, please know that although “Pray continually” sounds impossible, you already have everything you need to take your first breath.