Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Bottom Line

Every moment is filled with holy opportunity to connect with God in prayer.

Prayer is not meant to be one of our religious activities. Prayer is a way of life.

The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament
- Brother Lawrence in “The Practice of the Presence of God”

The goal of our life is to be with God forever.
We should not fix our desires on health or sickness, wealth or poverty, success or failure, a long life or a short one.
For everything has the potential of calling forth in us a deeper response to our life in God.
- The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola

We ought to act with God in the greatest simplicity, speaking to Him frankly and plainly, and imploring His assistance in our affairs, just as they happen.
- Brother Lawrence in “The Practice of the Presence of God”

How to pray without ceasing:

• Whatever you’re feeling in the moment
• Anything you’re feeling anxious about that’s coming up
• Anything you find yourself thinking about and ruminating on afterwards
• Asking for God’s help
• Confession
• Thanksgiving and gratitude
• Meditating on God’s goodness
• A memorized prayer
• A memorized passage of Scripture
• Silently trying to wake up to God’s presence

The hardest part of this type of prayer is remembering to do it.

In order to form a habit of conversing with God continually, and referring all we do to Him, we must first apply to Him with some diligence; but that after a little care we should find His love inwardly excite us to it without any difficulty.
- Brother Lawrence in “The Practice of the Presence of God”

A few ways to remember to pray without ceasing:

• Post it note or some other physical reminder where you’ll see it
• Set a journal out and write out short prayers
• Change the lock screen image on your phone
• Set a timer or alarm for every hour
• Start with a day or time
• Start with an activity
• Start with a feeling
• Start with a person

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

Action Steps

Prayerfully reflect on the following questions:

• In what ways do you tend to view life as divided between the sacred and the secular? Why do you think that is?

Practice

• Fast from something that steals your focus and attention
• Use one of the above ideas to build your capacity for praying without ceasing each day this week. Start with something doable, you can always increase if it’s too easy.