04/22/2026
It is one thing to know what a life of prayer is, but something altogether different to live that life. Being called to prayer and answering that call are two entirely different things too. Every Christian receives God’s call to prayer, but so many will cripple themselves by either refusing to answer that call, or by not knowing how to fully engage in it. Are we participating in a dedicated life of prayer today, or are we limping along, hobbled, and without understanding what praying without ceasing means, or involves?
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Romans 12:12 ESV
Prayer is so much more than just delivering a wish list of our wants to God, it is the complete conversation of a relationship, the kind of verbal, and non-verbal, interaction we have with God , who we care deeply for. It contains such things as praise, encouragement, soft words of love, saying we are sorry, and our request for His forgiveness... it is discussion, contrition, ultimatums, concession, confession, and it is worship, adoration, and a communication so deep that it can only be delivered in grunts, moans, and perhaps laughter or joyous shouts... it even contains quick glances towards heaven, raised eyebrows, facial expressions, and the rolling of our eyes. Despite the length of this list, we are only scratching the surface of what comprises prayer. Prayer is all day long and every communication we have with our God, and Jesus Christ. Prayer is everything from the bold and loud, to soft whispers and subtle sighs; it is the foundation of our family relationship with God the Father, and our shared bloodline with Adam, and Jesus.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 ESV
I used to look at the passage of scripture which tells us to pray without ceasing and think “this just isn’t possible”, but once I realized the height and breadth of what comprised prayer, I suddenly reached the understanding that I was there. This is our call to prayer, and it is a call to constant interaction... to a constant relationship With God in Jesus Christ.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
So, prayer is not just a checklist of our wants, even though they are most certainly included. Prayer, through our focus on the divine, on God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, is the essence of our life of faith, and becomes every breath we take. Prayer is comes forth in every aspect of our lives as the children of God. Let’s not limit our prayers, or shy away from our participation in this divine conversation because we are reluctant to ask, or tell the Lord something... let’s grasp hold of the totality of prayer, and open up our intimate life and relationship with the Father more completely by experiencing its robust nature... and coming to know just how complete praying makes our lives of faith. We are meant to listen to the wisdom of God while in prayer, not just talk at Him, and when we do this we will discover what an amazing conversation prayer will have become.
“"Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is his name: Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
Jeremiah 33:2-3 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for my prayer life, or more appropriately... my life of prayer. I thank you for the constant nature of our relationship and the ongoing conversation we have that facilitates it. I hear your voice in my darkest hours, just as I do in the midst of my greatest joy. You are the beat of my heart and the blood in my veins; you are my most vivid thoughts, and secret dreams... you encompass me in my entirety, and know my depths, you are there in every word or sound I pray. I acknowledge your presence in my most personal of thoughts, I confess to you the darkness of myself, and rejoice with you in the praise and joy of my brightest moments of faith. There is not a part of me that is hidden from you Holy Father, and my prayers reveal my most uncomfortable truths, and yet they sing of the fullness of your grace. You are Gracious and Merciful always, and my prayers reveal our bond. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, and my companion in prayer. I believe in the constant nature of our joined prayers, not because I understand, but because I might come to understand you a bit better through it. Praised be your name, Abba, now, and forevermore.
Amen!
Rich Forbes