The challenge of unceasing prayer

Having been in seminary for a couple of weeks, I've already seen a couple of approaches to understanding the scriptures. I'm not even going to say "interpreting" the scriptures, because that will open up a theological can of worms that I'd just like to take a momentary break from. In any case, one example I've read is that some theologians will treat the relative infrequency of a certain topic showing up in the Bible as a sign that it may not be as authoritative. In other words, the topic's scarcity indicates that the topic needs additional supplementation, and may be up for debate completely.

Not to go off on a tangent, but some preachers inadvertently invoke this thought. In the few sermons you've heard about money, in how many of them has the preacher quoted some statistic about how many references the Bible makes regarding money? Just about all of them. I don't need to know that there are more references to money than to salvation, or some silly point like that.

Anyway, my purpose is that I treat those "tucked away" concepts not as unimportant, but as incredibly deep. I tend to think, with an earthly metaphor, that frequently-mentioned topics in the Bible are like elementary-level Christianity concepts. However, those tucked away messages are reserved for those that truly desire intimacy with God.

"Pray unceasingly..." from 1 Thes 5:17 is often discussed and quoted, but rarely lived out. Prayer is talked about a lot in the Bible, but this constant prayer lifestyle is not really mentioned, let alone expounded upon, anyway. I believe it a special place with the Lord, and it is reserved for believers that passionately pursue him, and will come to understand unceasing prayer experientially.

Woo, now I'm writing like a seminarian! I'll try to get back to writer Joe of several weeks ago.

Anyway, there have been many ways this passage has been explained. "Not without stopping, but constant." Or, "keeping the satellite of your heart always turned towards heaven."

None of this is wrong. In fact, it all adds to the picture beautifully. My approach is simply this: be able to hear from God profoundly at any time, in any unexpected or obscure setting. Even at the gym. In the car. On the bus. While cooking or cleaning. While walking to class. At work in the cubicle.

Anytime. This question is, Does God have access to you at any time, or will you make Him wait until you show up at church, or talk to a Christian friend, or listen to a Christian song, or prayer to Him in your heart, at your initiation? Will you let Him initiate the dialogue? At any time?

This is hard work, even for the Holy Spirit, as Romans 8:26 explains that He "groans" in intercession for us. It is a discipline, as The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence shows.

But I've touched this blessing on occasion. I must admit, not always. But I've hovered around this deep and amazing lifestyle with God. Believe me, it's interesting when I'm at the gym and I nearly break down in tears because I have the strong sense that God is reminding me of His control of a particular situation.

What hinders this postion with God? Well, just about everything of the world, but that's not practical to start with. I would say several things.

First, it is not for the proud and arrogant. It is for humble people who are willing to hear from God about how they need to change. I've generally heard the call from God to forgive someone or to apologize to someone at obscure times. If you want to hear from God, you must be willing to become more like Christ. That involves transformation... change... humbling... eating crow pretty often.

Second, it is not for those who want to cling to this world's garbage. If you fill your head with images from MTV, forget it. God won't share your heart with that nonsense. I'm not suggesting that you can never watch a movie, or listen to a secular song, or walk into a building other than a church. It is the dependency upon "guilty pleasures" that kicks out God's unceasing readiness to speak to you.

Let that soak in for a second... God is always ready to communicate with you. He is never too busy or caught up in other things such that He ignores you for any length of time. You are always in the forefront of His mind.

You will become counter cultural. You will be noticably different from everyone else. But isn't that what everyone in life generally seeks? They want to be unique. No one likes being just a number. People will do outrageous, dangerous, or controversial things to stand out and appear unique, popular, or different. God tells us to just remain in constant connection to Him. You will be different. You will be transformed into the unique and wonderful character God designed you to be. You will not have to settle for mediocrity. And you will walk with God in a way that makes this perishing world's "pleasures" seem like garbage.