This seems to be a simple minor command—it contains only three words, but it is as major as any command given in the Scriptures. And we should never minimize it. It would take quite a large book to describe the difference that would be made in the church in this old sin-blighted world if Christians would take this injunction seriously.
Now how can we obey this command? This can present a problem to us if we don't have some insight into the mystery of prayer. Should we abandon all other Christian activities and duties of life and stay on our knees in prayer, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week? Is this what Paul had in mind? The answer is obvious. We must provide for material needs; we must eat, rest and sleep. And there are secular matters that must be given attention. So how can we pray without ceasing?
There have been many good suggestions. One is to develop a habit of prayer. Another is to pray daily in what we call a quite time. This is called spending time with alone with God. Personally, I have been challenged in reading about the saints of the past who spend the majority of their waking hours in prayer every day. This is commendable, but can every Christian do this; is this what Paul had in mind when he issued the injunction to pray without ceasing? I don't think so.
Maintaining a quiet time is a discipline we should adhere to, but the phrase spending time with God expresses the lack of understanding many have regarding their prayer lives. How much time should we spend with God? Is there time in your life that you do not spend with God? Can you walk away from Him when you end your quiet time? Can you keep God in your prayer closet and go on with your daily activities?
No, my friend, you cannot do that.
The divine Enabler of prayer, the Holy Spirit, dwells in us. He is present within us; we are always in the presence of God. Therefore, we should maintain a sense of His presence and live in constant communion with Him.
Is this not what "abiding in Christ" means—to stay in fellowship or communion with Him. Has God made allowances for times when you do not have to abide in Christ—or should you abide in Christ only during your quiet time when you spend time with Him in prayer?
Oh, dear friend, men have made prayer such a mechanical or humanistic matter that has created a confusing stereotype of prayer. I reiterate—you should maintain your quiet time and continue to be involved in prayer meetings with others, but do not let these things be the extent of your prayer life.
And do not receive accusation from yourself if you can't spend hours in prayer every day and if your quiet time is not longer than you desire it to be. Now let's think about how to "pray without ceasing."
While the Bible teaches that prayer is communication with God, it does not limit it to a function of tongue. The voice is not the only part of our being involved in prayer. These two verses of Scripture and others substantiate this truth.
Psalm 4:4 says, "...commune with your own heart upon your bed ...." Psalm 19:l4 says, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart (mind) be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord ...."
Prayer must not be regarded as only an act of petitioning in which we ask God for things. The activity of prayer is much deeper and broader than that. Prayer is a life of constant conscious communion with God.
In this communion there is a continuous sense of God's presence and a continuous stream of worship, praise, thanksgiving, and petition flowing from your heart to the heart of God. And when this is the case, you are on ground, so to speak, to rebuke Satan and command him to cease his illegal intrusion and ungodly activity in your life.
As the head and the body are joined and interact one with the other physically, so spiritually we interact with God. As the members of the body of Christ are dependent on Christ the Head, even so Christ is dependent on the body for communication in His work.
Our example here is Jesus. While on earth, He lived in continuous communion with the Father. Their communion was possible by the Father manifesting Himself to the Son. Likewise, our fellowship with Jesus is on the same basis of revelation.
If this is true—and it is—why do people say as they begin their prayers, "Father, I come into your presence today" in prayer. If we are joined to Christ in a vital union, if we are one with Him, how could we get out of God's presence?
We find here a fallacy in the thinking of Christians regarding prayer. They have the idea of going to God in prayer. So that is what they think they are doing when they pray in church, in other Christian activities and in their quiet time.
Yes, I am aware of the verse in Hebrews 4:16 that says, "Let us come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need."
But to "come to the throne of grace" is to do so in our attitude. We must maintain a consciousness of our union with Christ—that we are crucified, buried, risen, ascended and enthroned with Him. In the original language, the thought is let us remain. We have already come—we must continue there in heart, mind and spirit, for there is where Christ is, at the right hand of the Father—and that is our place in Christ.
This article taken from:
The Deeper Secrets of Prayer by Sam Wolfe.
Published by Evangel Publications
P.O. Box 11007, Huntsville, AL 35814