"Pray without ceasing", Paul advises in his first letter to the Thessalonians. I used to think that meant pray, as in petitioning, without end. That's a nearly insurmountable task for most folks, especially me. Eventually, I gave up altogether. I gave the occasional thanks where appropriate, but little else.
And then I met J. She reminds me of many of the people I went to art school with. Fascinating, insightful, and endlessly curious, J believes we must always be on the look out for messages from the universe. She sees signs and lessons everywhere, and is deeply thoughtful. Like me, J lost her way for a time. She allowed others to hold her back on her journey, but no more. J finds love, inspiration, and encouragement all around her. And that got me thinking...maybe that is what is truly meant by Paul's instruction. Praying must necessarily be a two-way conversation--you can't have a running monologue in your head with God all day and night. You have to listen. You must look around you. He speaks to us in a variety of ways, and perhaps nearly always in the most unexpected way. Looking, and listening, teaches us to be patient. To wait. We can pray without ceasing, but only when we quit "praying". J said she's back on her spiritual journey. I've decided to join her--it's likely she'll remind me to keep my mind and heart open, and to see the ways the universe is constantly speaking with me.