Pray Without Ceasing

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 3, 1869

Pray Without Ceasing.

A NUMBER of ministers were assembled for the discussion of difficult questions, and among others, it was asked how the command, Pray without ceasing, could be complied with. Various suppositions were stated, and at length one of their number was appointed to write upon the subject, and read it at the next meeting, which being overheard by a plain, sensible girl, she exclaimed, “What, a whole month to tell the meaning of that text; it is one of the easiest and best texts in the whole Bible.” “Well, well,” said an old minister, “Mary, what can you say about it? Can you pray all the time?” “Oh! yes, sir.” “What, when you have so many things to do?” “Why, sir, the more I have to do, the more I can pray.” Indeed, Mary, do let us know how it is; for most people think otherwise.” “Well, sir,” said the girl, “when I first open my eyes in the morning I pray, ‘Lord, open the eyes of my understanding, to behold wondrous things out of thy law.’ And when I am washing, I pray that I may be washed and sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when I am dressing, I pray that I may be clothed with humility. And as I begin my work, I pray that I may have strength equal to my day. When I begin to kindle a fire, I pray that the love of God may burn in my heart; and as I sweep the house, I pray that my heart may be cleansed from iniquity. And while I am preparing and partaking of breakfast, I desire to be fed with hidden manna and sincere milk of the word. And when I am busy with the children, I look up to God as my Father, and pray for the spirit of adoption, and that I may be his child. And so all the day, everything I do furnishes me with something for prayer.”