Pray Without Ceasing

Where are you?

Like Adam and Eve, in the shame of our sin we tend to hide ourselves from God. God calls to us, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). He desires relationship, knowing that only in a right relationship with Him can we ever find joy and fulfillment. As God calls to us, prayer becomes our “reciprocal call, a covenant drama.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) #2567)

“Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God” -St. John Damascene

Expressions of Prayer

Prayer is like a conversation. We can pray alone or in community, in silence or aloud. As discussed in a previous post, there are three basic expressions of prayer, each deeper and more intense than the one that comes before: Vocal (or Mental) Prayer, Meditation, and Contemplative Prayer (see CCC 2700-2724). Loosely, in Vocal Prayer we speak to our Creator,  while Meditation and Contemplative Prayer is a deeper communion in which God speaks to us. We cannot delve into deeper communion without becoming faithful at vocal prayer first. Prayer can thus be a deep ecstatic union with God, a long, silent meditation of scripture, or a brief cry of praise, thanksgiving, or need – for ourselves or for others. It is this last we want to focus on.

Pray Without Ceasing

“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice ALWAYS? Pray WITHOUT CEASING? In ALL CIRCUMSTANCES give thanks? These are among the more difficult commands we are asked to follow as Christians. It is the middle command that is the key to those that surround it. It is about relationship. Without a right relationship with God, we cannot be joyful through difficulty or thankful in the midst of a trial.

“I Spy”

Prayer without ceasing is a continual God-consciousness. By starting and ending our days, our meals, and other routine events with a short prayer, we begin to better recognize the presence and grace of God in our lives. When our children were young, we would call out “I Spy” anytime we saw something beautiful and awe-inspiring, things like a rainbow, sunset, scenic lake, mountain range, waterfall, or seashore. We didn’t realize it at the time, but this was a form of prayer!

The Sign of the Cross

Sacramentals are “sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments” (CCC 1667). These usually include a short prayer accompanied by a specific sign like laying on of hands, sprinkling of holy water, or the sign of the cross. The sign of the cross is in fact a prayer all by itself, a prayer “which strengthens us in temptations and difficulties” (CCC 2157)  and consecrates us to the service of God in Trinity – “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”

Arrow Prayers

One can also “pray without ceasing” throughout the day using short “arrow prayers” that we shoot up to heaven: a prayer for the special need of a co-worker or family member, for your child’s teacher, your doctor, the neighborhood police officer; a prayer for guidance in nervous moments or gratitude for successes. If you are known as a person to whom faith is important, people around you may ask if you’ll pray for them. What an opportunity! “Of course,” we all say, but we should immediately follow with, “let’s send up an arrow prayer right now” and taking his or her hands say a short prayer aloud for your friend and their needs. Arrow prayers help keep God central in our lives, and help us and others to recognize how dependent we are on His grace.

Breath Prayers

Our minds are often so active or agitated about worldly concerns that it is difficult to focus on heavenly things. Breathing is so natural that we do it without thinking, but it is critically necessary for life. Can you imagine getting involved in something and realizing after a minute or two, uh-oh, I’d better breathe now? Every breath is a gift, and it would be good to stop right now, breathe in, and say, “Thank you, God (inhale), for the air we breathe (exhale).” This is the premise behind the ancient practice of Breath Prayers.

The classic Breath Prayer is called the Jesus Prayer. “Lord Jesus” (inhale), “Have mercy on me” (exhale), “A sinner.” Or even more simply, “Je-” (inhale) “-sus” (exhale).  In a way, we are breathing in Jesus, and breathing out anxiety. It brings momentary focus and peace in the midst of the worries of everyday life. It is another way to “pray without ceasing,” a momentary recognition of the presence of God. There are many scripture passages that can be used as breath prayers throughout the day. Some examples include:

• Speak, Lord, your servant is listening. (1 Samuel 3:9-10)
• Here I am, Lord. Send me. (Isaiah 6:8)
• Lord, save me! (Matthew 14:30)
• Lord, help me. (Matthew 15:25)
• Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. (Mark 14:24)
• You are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel. (John 1:49)
• More of Jesus, Less of me. (“He must increase, I must decrease” John 3:30)
• My Lord and my God! (John 20:28)
• Lord, you know that I love you. (John 21:15)
• Abba, Father. (Romans 8:15)
• Live by the Spirit, Walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)
• Behold, I come to do your will, O God. (Hebrews 10:7)

God calls to us, even in our temptations and difficulties. Let us strive to make an unceasing habit of listening for and reciprocating His call – day to day, moment to moment, breath to breath.