1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16 Rejoice always;
17 pray without ceasing;
18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Praying without ceasing at first seems like something that would be very difficult or even impossible to accomplish. Maybe in the day that Paul lived. But in this world with the constant bombardment of information, or just constant noise, it couldn’t be done, could it? Constantly thinking and praying about God would mean that we are doing that at the expense of something else. Or does it?

Francois Malaval, a 17th century theologian and poet, offered this: “The wings of the dove do not weigh it down.  They carry and support it. And so the thought of God is never a burden; it is a gentle breeze which bears us up, a hand which supports us and raises us, a light which guides us, and a spirit which vivifies us though we do not feel its working.”

Malaval believed that staying in the presence of God lifts our spirits, and does not burden us. It isn’t extra work, but rather brings to us a sense of well being and peace. When we look at it that way, it doesn’t seem impossible, but rather something that we would strongly desire.

Father, I pray that my love for You would grow each day. I pray that as I love you more, I would keep my thoughts constantly on You. As my thoughts reflect on you, I pray that your Holy Spirit would guide me and give me peace, that I would be comforted in knowing that you are in complete control. Amen.