The Middle
pray without ceasing 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Without Ceasing – Doesn’t this command from Paul make you feel inadequate? I know that I don’t pray constantly. I am quite sure that the vast majority of Christians don’t either. That makes me feel as though I just can’t live up to the standard. And I probably never will. I am defeated before I begin. Or so it seems.
But Paul is not Greek (how many times have you heard that?). He is Hebrew, and in Hebrew there are more than 40 different words for prayer. English and Greek are, unfortunately, abbreviated languages when it comes to prayer. We have but one word, and that word often carries with it a particular imagery associated with the formal prayers of worship. When you think about “Let us pray,” you probably envision the congregation bowing their heads while some professional invokes eloquent words toward heaven. You may think of kneeling, folding hands (or lifting them up) or some other prescribed posture. And then you think, “I can’t do that 24-7.” In fact, even if you allow silent prayer, you will probably agree that there are long periods of time when you just aren’t saying those reverential words even in your mind. It’s OK. That is not what Paul has in mind. Paul uses the Greek adialeiptos (literally, “not leaving a gap”), but he is thinking from a Hebrew perspective.
You know, of course, that the original manuscripts of the Bible have no chapter and verse numbers. Erase them. Then read this again. You will discover that it is the middle of one continuous thought. Rejoice always, pray without gaps, in everything give thanks. That’s the whole picture.
And that picture is part of the advice on practical actions toward others (read verses 12-15). If praying without gaps is the middle of an attitude of thanksgiving, set in the context of commitment to others, then how do you suppose this kind of praying will manifest itself? Do you suppose it will be a constant stream of silent words cast toward heaven? Or is it more likely that it will be displayed in the other 39 words in Hebrew thought used for praying? Those words include weeping, crying, dancing, blessing, lifting, calling, summoning, entreating, groaning, roaring, praising, confessing, meditating, declaring, remembering, counting, and a dozen more actions that belong to everyday life. In other words, prayer is not a specific religious ritual as much as it is a life-orientation that permeates all our thoughts, words and deeds. In fact, if praying happens continuously in all that you do, you will experience the reality that work and worship are the same word in Hebrew. You will live in prayer because you will be in constant engagement with God, even if it is in dancing, crying, declaring, meditating or all the rest.
And we will all see that you are praying without gaps because we will see that your external acts toward others reflect constant contact with God. Now go ahead. Live prayer without gaps. Oh, and by the way, the idea of prayer without gaps is a Hebrew expression about making every action of life full of God’s direction and purpose.
