This week I heard a wonderful and very simple insight about prayer. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 it talks about praying without ceasing and praying continuously. I have often thought about and even explained to students that this verse is not asking us to pray 24 hours a day and seven days week. Some might read these verses, and be confused thinking that this request is an impossible task. But instead it is a commission for us to be constantly aware of what God is doing in our lives. It is being aware of situations that we can take to God in our everyday moments, both big and small. In Philippians 4:6 it says that we are to in everything we do, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present our requests to God. In other words continuous interaction with God.

But here is the part that I had never thought about before. I know that this might come across as a very obvious statement but that is only because it is a very obvious statement. Many times I have told students that prayer is not some magic chant or special grouping of words that somehow earn you points with God, and I have told them that it is not and never was intended to be a monologue but that it is a dialog and the very means of communication between us and God. But the part that I never put together is that if we are praying continuously and prayer is a dialog then that means that God is speaking to us continuously as well.

It only makes sense that the God who created us to have relationship with us would be in constant communication with us throughout our days and nights. I feel foolish in the fact that I never thought of the fact that praying continuously on my part meant that God was speaking continually to me. I just have to get myself out of the way and listen to what it is that he would have me do and say. And therein lies the problem.

All too often I get caught up in my own little world with all of its problems and chores that have to be finished before the day, week, or month is done. It happens to us all and we all get sucked into this self serving mentality that we call self centeredness. It is in these moments that we ask where God is and wonder why it is that we cannot hear him but isn't it interesting that we only ask to hear God when things are not going according to our plan. Most of us if we are honest with ourselves rarely take the time to just talk with God and spend time listening to what he would say to us.

Having realized that in my daily routine God is speaking if I would only tune my ears to what it is that he is saying has changed how I look at my day. John 10:27 records Jesus saying that his sheep listen to his voice and that he knows them and that they know him. That is where I want to be all day long. In full recognition of my Lord's voice. I hope that it is your desire as well. But do not be discouraged, like all things it will take time and practice to learn to hear and discern the Lord speaking to you. It is not something that you will suddenly wake up with the innate ability to do tomorrow morning. But keep seeking the face and will of our Lord and Savior each day and you will find that listening to and speaking with the Lord all through out your day will become easier and easier.