Articles
Pray Without Ceasing
There is great value in slipping away to “a lonely place” to pray (Luke 4:42; 5:16). This was part of the rhythm of Jesus’ life. Similarly, Jesus taught that when praying you can “go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret” (Matthew 6:6).
However, there may be seasons of life when it seems quite difficult to slip off to a lonely place. It might be difficult to go into a room and shut the door. I am reminded of a young mother who once said in a Bible class that she would like to go into a room and shut the door, but if she did, there would be little fingers poking their way under the door.
Silence and solitude are certainly important in the spiritual life. However, it can be just as important to notice God in the noise. We do not have to be in complete silence in order to pray. We do not have to be secluded from all other human beings in order to pray. When we begin to think that this is the case, we might be guilty of turning the lonely place and the inner room into an idol.
In Luke 23:34, Jesus prays, “Father, forgive them; for they do now know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Where is Jesus? On the cross. Jesus was not in silence and solitude. There are people all over this scene. Here are a few of the people present:
-Two criminals (Luke 23:33)
-Those who crucified Him (Luke 23:33)
-The people who stood by (Luke 23:35)
-The rulers (Luke 23:35)
-The soldiers (Luke 23:36)
On this occasion in Luke, Jesus does not go to a deserted place to pray. Instead, he prays on a cross. He prays for the ones who surround Him and sneer at Him. Early in Luke, we have the impression that calmness and quietness accompany the prayers of Jesus. Jesus prays in the wilderness and He prays on mountains. As we read through Luke, a picture of serenity gives way to a picture of suffering. Jesus prays under intense distress in the Garden of Gethsemane. He prays on the cross. And lastly, He prays, “Father into Your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46).
We are to be people who “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We should pray in the tranquility of our inner room. We should also pray in the tumultuous times of life.
