Moving From Crisis to Continuous Prayer
“Pray Continually.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Some see prayer as something you do once a week when you are at a physical church building or viewing an online worship service. Or maybe you start your day early, on your knees in prayer, but once your prayer time ends, you go about your day on your own strength with little or no communication with God. In both of these scenarios, prayer or conversation with God has a beginning and an end.
But what if communication with God was continuous without a starting or stopping point? Having this kind of communication requires a shift in how we view Jesus. He isn't far away. He isn't too busy. He doesn't want me to just discuss the big items of my life with him. He wants to talk about the big stuff, the little stuff, and everything in between. From the moment I get up in the morning to the moment I go to bed, he is my invisible friend (kind of like the imaginary friend you had when you were little) who is always right beside me. This change in how I view Jesus has allowed for a rolling conversation about whatever is happing in my life.
I wish I could tell you that I have always had this kind of communication with Jesus, but that isn't the case. I wish I could tell you that this kind of rolling conversation with Jesus came out of an incredible season of blessing in my life. But, like most prideful sheep, I am prone to wander away from God during times of great blessing, somehow believing that I am the author of my accomplishments. Continuous prayer almost always develops during a season of crisis.
I began communicating with Jesus in this way about twelve years ago when our family was going through a life-altering financial crisis. I was desperate and needed to talk with Him almost hourly because things were falling apart so rapidly that I could barely make it an hour without completely losing it.
Unfortunately, my experience with continuous prayer at that time was very one-sided. It was mostly me talking to Jesus about everything I needed. Over time though, this conversation has become more balanced like any true friendship should be. During my regular sabbath time each week, I have tried to posture myself in a way that will allow me to hear God's voice in the silence. It is this discipline of first learning to hear his voice in the silence that has led to being able to clearly hear his voice in the chaos of my regular day to day activities.
I will say it again; continuous prayer almost always develops during a season of crisis. I have great news for all of us (depending on your perspective)! We are all facing some kind of crisis right now. Either this crisis will cause us to be anxious, angry, or narcissistic. Or we can choose to lean into the crisis allowing it to be the catalyst that changes our communication with Jesus forever.
Sample Prayer
Lord, the crisis that our world is facing is affecting every area of my life. I feel crushed and left without answers. I don’t know how to move forward. Why have you allowed this to happen? Move my eyes from the circumstances that I can’t control to the lessons you are trying to teach me. Show me what an on-going continuous conversation with you looks like.
Featured Music
FM Static - Nice Piece of Art
This song is a little outside the normal featured music I choose, but I promise you it will bring a smile to your face every time you listen to it. It’s funny. The lyrics are creative. And most important the message points to the idea that you are unique piece of Art created by God! In moments of crisis lean into your loving Savior.
“And every time I wonder what’s real/ You make me feel/
You make me feel/ Like a lavender sweater/ When I am caught in bad weather/ In my Volkswagen Jetta
You make me feel/ Like a complete work of Art/ When I am just falling a part/ A really nice piece of art”
About the Author
Nathan Miller
You may know me as a husband, father, son, brother, friend, mentor, ultra marathoner runner, NBA basketball enthusiast, fan of all things tech, music lover and writer. However, the life blood that flows through everything that I strive to be comes from a desire for greater intimacy with Jesus Christ. He is my Savior, my Provider, my Lord and most of all my best friend.