Prayer is as important as breathing to Christians. We all know -no matter how busy our lives are- we need to find time for prayer. Or maybe especially because our lives are hectic we need more and more prayer. Like Martin Luther has said “the less I pray, the harder it gets. The more I pray, the better it goes”. Well prayed is indeed half done. Without God’s guidance and blessing there is no point to do anything. But when God has adjusted our needs and wants to align with his will we are ready to move on.

We find God’s plan for our life by building up our relationship with Jesus. We grow closer to God by the very same way we maintain closeness in marriage: by listening, talking, trusting, cherishing, spending time with each other. Only by becoming one with God can we learn to walk in God’s ways. In order to do that we truly need to linger in the presence of God and be fed by the Holy Spirit. Phillips Brooks has said “Feed on Christ, and then go on and live your life, and it is Christ in you that lives your life.”

But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! (Jude 1: 20-21, MSG)

We are called to live our lives at the center of God’s love. That’s the position where we are happiest, most content, joyful and at peace. When we live and move and have our being in the Lord our whole life becomes a prayer. A famous Brother Lawrence quote comes into my mind “There is no sweeter manner of living in the world than continuous communion with God.” This way maintaining a prayer routine on the go is far from drudgery. It’s about basking in God’s love.

Prayer on the go is part of a prayerful lifestyle. I pray for people I meet, pass by or whomever the Holy Spirit brings into my mind. Another way to bring everything to God while on the go is to continually whisper “Lord, have mercy” or another short prayer. God knows what is needed and by whom. I just utter my plea and know God is working everything into something good.

If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. (Romans 8: 26-28, MSG)

When we are continually present before God it doesn’t matter how big of a storm comes our way. We know our help is near. God is alive and active in our lives.
When the storms of life rage we cling to the mercy of God. We know our strength comes from the Lord. We are secure in Christ.
When we prayerfully bring our worries to God we are free to live, pray, and love. We know God’s love never fails. The Holy Spirit is with us.

 

Gracious God,
Teach us to live in your presence.
Come and live in us.
Teach us to pray without ceasing.
Come and pray in us.
Teach us to love like you.
Come and love in us.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: What are some of your practices to pray without ceasing?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you live, pray and love in Christ.

Image courtesy of Daniel Hicks