Pastor Tricia's Ramblings

The Bible encourages us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to “pray without ceasing.” At first glance, this command can seem overwhelming or even impossible. When we think of prayer, we often envision it surrounded by religious practices—perhaps a prayer closet, a prayer shawl, kneeling in reverence, or hands raised and eyes closed. Sometimes, we associate it with long, flowery words that may seem more about impressing others than communicating with God.

While there is nothing wrong with having a designated space for prayer or adopting certain postures, what matters most is the heart behind those actions. Personally, I have a special prayer space where I wear my prayer shawl and intentionally enter into communion with God. It’s a purposeful and intimate time that I’ve set apart just to be with Him. However, if that is the only time I approach God, truly, I cannot pray without ceasing, and my spiritual growth would stall.

Life continues to unfold all around us. I have a home to manage, children and grandchildren to nurture, ministry responsibilities to fulfill, and a job to attend to. So, how do we maintain a posture of prayer amidst our busy lives?

Colossians 3:1-2 encourages us to “set our hearts on things above.” This reminder challenges us to focus our hearts on God, while Hebrews 4:16 reassures us that we can “come with confidence to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace in our time of need.” We need to develop a habit of speaking directly to God, integrating prayer into every facet of our lives.

Growing up, my parents had a knowledge of God but didn’t possess a personal relationship with Him. As a child, I was taught to pray simply at church gatherings, especially in a program called Girls in Action. A special mentor in my life, who was like a grandmother to me, taught me how to pray simply and sincerely—just telling God what I needed and thanking Him for His faithfulness.

I remember going to my parents’ room and sitting beside their bed, praying, “God, save my mom; God, save my dad.” I did this consistently over the years, often whenever the thought crossed my mind. Whether I was sitting in my dad’s chair or walking by my mom’s sewing machine, I would lift those heartfelt petitions to God, day-to-day.

Eventually, my mother experienced a profound surrender in her relationship with God, and I watched her blossom in His love and knowledge. As she grew, she began pouring that wisdom into my life, enriching my understanding of faith. It took years longer for my dad to reach a similar place of surrender, but I witnessed an incredible transformation in him before the Lord took him home.

Consistently bringing our burdens and desires before God cultivates an environment where our faith can thrive. This practice shifts our focus from ourselves to His power and capabilities. In our moments of prayer, we align ourselves with God’s will and His plans for our lives.

As we embark on this journey of encountering God, let’s remember that prayer is more than a religious practice; it is an ongoing conversation with our Creator. By integrating prayer into the fabric of our daily lives, we can confidently embrace the call to “pray without ceasing,” allowing His presence and guidance to shape our journeys. Day one is just the beginning—let’s commit ourselves to a life rich in prayer and connection with God!

Remember prayer is simply talking to God in an ongoing encounter with Him.