[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Lifestyle of Prayer” subhead=”June 8, 2018 | Lifestyle” background_layout=”dark” background_overlay_color=”rgba(38,38,38,0.32)” _builder_version=”3.0.92″ background_image=”https://truestoryproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/LifestyleofPrayer.jpg” custom_padding=”200px||200px|” text_orientation=”left” header_fullscreen=”off” header_scroll_down=”off” image_orientation=”center” content_orientation=”center” custom_button_two=”off” button_two_icon_placement=”right” custom_button_one=”off” button_one_icon_placement=”right” /][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.92″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”||1px|”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.92″ background_layout=”light”]
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]ersonally, I grapple with the function of prayer in the life of a Christian. Simply speaking, it requires talking with the Being who created this world yet cannot be seen. Because of this, it is difficult for me to approach prayer with the same authenticity and earnestness as a normal face-to-face interaction. It seems to me that this is a peculiarity of faith which must be addressed by the earnest Christian. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible records the prayers of God’s people throughout the millennia: prayers of thanks, supplication, praise, and for salvation. Undoubtedly, prayer is a fundamental aspect of following Jesus. It is therefore essential to aim toward a ‘lifestyle of prayer.’
If it is agreed that a lifestyle of prayer is desirable, it is necessary to consider practically what this can be defined as. I Thess. 5:17-18 succinctly presents this way of life: “ Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” We’re told to ‘pray without ceasing’ – but that’s ridiculous, right? How can this be accomplished in the frantic, frenzied void that is 21st-century life?
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Arguably, Paul’s instruction here can be interpreted to encompass several different areas of life. First, it implies that we must consider ourselves dependent on God. It could be described as a disposition which places continual reliance on God’s power in our lives. This does not require constant conscious communication with God, but rather a frame of mind. It may seem a bit ‘airy-fairy,’ but this is a significant indicator of Christian faith: a deep, profound reliance on God which permeates every aspect of life.
A second, and perhaps more practical, meaning is simply a recommendation to pray often. Pray, whether you find yourself in dire circumstances or at joyful occasions. This builds on the previous point as it requires a state of mind where God is the first thing you turn to, whatever the circumstances.
The story of Nehemiah is particularly relevant here. When faced with a perilous and life-changing moment in the king’s court, he paused for a moment and “prayed to the God in Heaven,” before continuing to make his request (Nehemiah 2:1-8). In his time of true fear he turned to God and was granted his request. This is perhaps a drastic example, but it is emblematic of the instruction to ‘pray without ceasing.’
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The final meaning which can be derived from this statement is the practical recommendation to set aside time each day to pray – a common enough suggestion you have probably heard multiple times from the pulpit. Personally, I find regular ‘timetabled’ prayer strangely difficult to keep up. Maybe it’s because I’m not a ‘morning person’ (or some other fairly stereotypical excuse). However, As habitual creatures, some form of ‘discipline’ when it comes to prayer is very useful in the pursuit of a lifestyle of prayer. Whether it’s during a commute, an evening walk or by the bedside at the crack of dawn, a consistent prayer life is an important aspect of the Christian walk. There are examples of this form of prayer life in the Bible, most notably the prophet Daniel. According to chapter six of his book, Daniel prayed and gave thanks to God three times a day – a routine which, of course, landed him quite literally in a den of lions. While it is not necessary to follow this specific formula, this story does demonstrate this tenant of a lifestyle of prayer.
For myself, I intend to find a combination of these three meanings derived from ‘pray without ceasing;’ A state of mind of dependency on God, a clear intention to pray often in all circumstances of life and a regular disciplined time dedicated to prayer.
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