Reflections by Chuck Cluff, Atherton resident since 2004
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
Quite a challenge.
How can we look at this so it is practical for us? Here is one way; Never say amen! Have no point of disconnect in your mind. Saying amen at the end of a prayer gives the feeling and meaning that the prayer is over; the conversation has ended until the next time. In group and private prayers we see people finishing their prayer with ‘amen’. With family and friends do we say a formal ending at the finish of every large or small conversation? Do we do that as we move from one friend to another during an evening social event? We may if parting for the night, but not within the evening. There is no parting for the night with God. To God the evening never ends. The communication is always open. There is no ‘until the next time’ with God. It is always now with God. Everything with God is open and in the present. We may need closure with others when we part; goodbye, catch you later, see you later, next time, but not with God. God is never not with us! The venue for sharing is always open; so in our private relationship with God if we never say amen it may help us be in touch with praying without ceasing. One of the best enjoyments of a close friendship is you don’t have to talk all the time. Just being together or around each other is joy in itself. Closeness to God, often without having to say a thing, is wonderful!
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