Pray Continually

1 Thessalonians 5:17 NIV says two words, “pray continually.”

What does this mean? Does this mean constantly talking to God non stop? Thankfully, Jesus gave us this insight, “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” (Matthew 6:7 NIV)

Phone conversations can often have pauses, but silence doesn't necessarily mean we've lost communication or stopped communicating.

Jesus’ sheep listen to his voice. It’s hard to listen, if we’re constantly talking over him. A good conversation involves both talking and listening. To pray continually, can seem weighty when we think its up to us to do all the talking, but God also wants us to listen. We prayerfully ask for wisdom and prayerfully listen to receive it. 

To pray continually is to remain aware of his presence throughout the day. Jesus is with you during worship service on Sunday, but he is also here with you right now. He’s always with us, even when we don’t acknowledge his presence.

There is a beautiful truth within these two words, "pray continually": God wants us to experience daily life with him.