The easiest way I’ve found to ‘pray without ceasing’
- Ava Frecker
- 30 minutes ago
- 5 min read
“Pray without ceasing,” St. Paul told the early Christians in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Sounds great … and impossible.
While it should be obvious that most Christians are not called to put aside all worldly duties for the sake of meditative prayer day and night, the challenge still stands to pray whenever we can in whatever we are called to do.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton said, “We must pray without ceasing, in every occurrence and employment of our lives — that prayer which is rather a habit of lifting up the heart to God as in a constant communication with Him.” Elizabeth, first a wife and mother and later the founder of a religious order, understood both the active and contemplative life. Yet, as she points out, praying all day is about inviting God into our daily tasks, not putting aside our daily tasks for God. Yes, it’s important to have a prayer routine — scheduled times in the day to turn to the Lord — but praying without ceasing extends beyond that. And it doesn’t have to be complicated.
My secret way to ‘pray without ceasing’
In addition to my imperfect prayer routine, one way above all others has proven to be a powerful method of praying “without ceasing.” At its heart is a desire for intercession.
As is the case with most people, sometimes my husband has a rough day at work. On those days, whether he simply doesn’t feel like himself or is facing a particular challenge, I hate being at home away from him. I feel helpless. I want to find a solution. I wish I could, at the very least, give him a comforting hug. And while I can sometimes offer a helpful suggestion during a quick call or in a short text, more often than not, that’s not what he needs. Most of the time, he simply needs my steadfast prayer. He needs me to pray without ceasing.
While we were still dating, a friend of mine shared an idea of how to intercede for him during the day. Instead of simply saying a prayer for him and moving on with my day, I turn my work into a prayer of intercession. I decrease or eliminate the amount of noise, distractions, or entertainment that often form the background to my day, whether that be podcasts, music, or social media, and instead, I simply do the work at hand. I do dishes that I might have left for the evening because I know a clean house brings him peace. I tackle that pile of miscellaneous mail on the table that he kindly reminded me about earlier that week. I sit down with my computer and do my work instead of “working” via social media. I spend more undistracted time playing with my son. I simply do my work out of love for my husband and ask the Lord to send graces his way.
On these days that I turn my work into intercession, I’m a better wife and mother. My thoughts naturally turn heavenward more often as I think and work my intercession for my husband. Maybe I say an extra prayer for him or put on the Rosary while I tackle the dishes. But most of my intercession isn’t Ave Marias and Pater Nosters. It’s the simple work of the lay life. But it, too, can become prayer.
This method of prayer isn’t reserved just for my husband. Whenever a friend or family member is going through a difficult time, whenever a local or world crisis pierces my heart, I turn off the distractions and turn my day into intercession. It’s not glamorous, but it’s also not complicated. It’s the grace of the ordinary.
“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.” — St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Other ways to pray throughout the day
While doing my work without distraction is my secret weapon of prayer, there are other ways to pray diligently throughout your day. The saints mastered the art of praying without ceasing. Here are some of their secrets.
Pray short prayers frequently. You can also pair it with your breathing.
“Come, Holy Spirit.”
“Jesus.”
“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
“Jesus, I love you.”
“O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me.”
“O Lord, my God, unwearied is your love for us.”
“Praise the Lord, for he is good. For his mercy endures forever.”
It’s great to have these prayers on the tip of your tongue — or rather your heart — to be called on at a moment’s notice throughout your day. I’ve found myself praying “Come, Holy Spirit” more than ever since I became a mother; there are endless opportunities to rely on strength other than my own when trying to parent with grace. Find a word or phrase that resonates with your heart, and let it rise to heaven throughout your day.
“For me, prayer is a burst from my heart, it is a simple glance thrown toward heaven, a cry of thanksgiving and love in times of trial as well as in times of joy.” — St. Thérèse of Lisieux
Commit to a prayer routine. Set alarms on your phone if that’s helpful.
Start the day with a morning offering.
Pray the Liturgy of the Hours, or at least morning and night prayer.
Pray the Angelus (traditionally at 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m.).
Read the daily readings. If children are around, don’t be afraid to read the readings aloud to them.
Play a recorded Rosary, and pray along while doing other tasks.
Say an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be for a specific intention every morning when you make your bed or wash your face.
Pray a daily examen each night.
Place physical reminders around your home to incite small acts of devotion.
Place a holy water font at the entrance to your home, and bless yourself whenever you leave or enter.
Alternatively (or additionally), place a crucifix near the front door, and touch it whenever you come and go.
Tape holy cards of the saints or favorite prayers in windows and mirrors.
Wear sacramentals daily (rosary rings, saint medals, the scapular, etc.).
Display holy statues, prints, or paintings around the house to frequently call your mind to God.
As is usually the case, what God demands isn’t complicated. Prayer doesn’t need to be complicated. It simply needs to become the heartbeat of our lives. This doesn’t happen overnight. God gives us a lifetime of learning to invite him into our days — for love of him and those most dear to us.