Lent: Day 5

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

“Pray continually.” Several other translations say “Pray without ceasing.” Sure, I do that, right? I mean, I pray when I get up in the morning, or when I get an email or a Facebook update from a friend with a request. I pray for good evaluations at work and for good weather for an event. I’ve even been known to pray that my favorite team wins their game, or that the moron who just cut me off driving 95 down the Tri-state gets pulled over. Somehow, though, I don’t really think that’s what Paul was referring to when he was talking to the Thessalonians.

Have you ever tried to literally spend the day praying without ceasing? More than spending the day in meditation, I’m talking about spending the day praying throughout your daily activities. Try this: Begin today with a prayer, even a simple one. Don’t say Amen; just keep it going as you go through your daily routine. Every thought, word, and action becomes a prayer to God. Somehow, that gossip about your coworker doesn’t seem quite as important...somehow maybe that song I’m singing to on the radio isn’t the best choice...maybe the way I’m treating that person isn’t really what God wants me to be doing. It’s an interesting way to spend a day...and just might change your outlook.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for another beautiful day. Please help me to live my life as if it is all a prayer to you. Amen.