Jesus not only taught his disciples how to pray, but he practiced what He preached and was found many a times in solitary, praying to God His Father, sometimes praying all night long (Luke 6:12). Jesus expressed and asserted that we ought to watch and pray lest we fall into temptation, for the Spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak (Mark 14:38). The Bible further counsels us that we ought to pray continually (i.e., without ceasing) (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Now think about this – is it humanly possible for us to pray without ceasing? Certainly not humanly. So how then can we as Christians pray continually; pray without ceasing? For the answer to this question, we need to dive deeper into the scripture. The scripture reveals that God is able to do more than we can ask or think. In other words, we can ask (pray audibly) and present our requests and supplications to God or we can think (pray silently) about our needs and He is able to do exceedingly abundantly (Ephesians 3:20-21). Our eyes need to be fixed on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) and our thoughts/mind need to be focused/stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3). Now, what should we think of? We should think about – whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, anything that is excellent or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). By praying with our voice and thoughts, we can pray incessantly (without ceasing) and as Christians we need to do exactly that.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Ephesians 3:20-21 (KJV)
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Luke 6:12 (KJV)
12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
