JULY 11, 2005

“KEEP IN TOUCH”
Pastor Connie Larson DeVaughn

“Keep in touch,” we said to our friends as they got ready to leave California for the East Coast. Specifically, I told them I expected at least a Christmas card and photo, letting us know how they were adjusting to a new place.

We have lots of other ways of “keeping in touch.” If you're old enough, you can hum the tune to the old phone commercial, “Reach out and touch someone.” It's even easier now with the cell phone. Some people respond quicker to an email than a phone message. Then there's instant messaging, text messaging, chirping, and probably a whole lot more technology of which I'm blissfully ignorant, all for the sake of keeping in touch.

For my four year old daughter, keeping in touch is a physical thing. There are lots of hugs and kisses throughout the day, and at midnight, when she crawls into her parents' bed, she makes sure she's in touch with both of us at once, head against one and toes against the other.

It's obvious that as physical beings we need touch, both the literal kind as well as the one that comes with a technological assist. It is equally true that as spiritual beings we need to touch God, and to be touched by God. One of the most effective ways of doing that is through prayer.

“Pray without ceasing.” (I Thess. 5:17) Thankfully, I first read this command when I was a teenager, when my life was not too full, when I tried to put into practice anything I read in my devotions. So I did. In that slow-moving lifestyle, I prayed when I walked, I prayed through my chores, I prayed when idle. That was much of my day as a teen. And while it took some doing to get into the habit of praying that way, I found that once the rhythm was established it became almost as natural to me as breathing.

I don't live in a slow-moving culture any more, however, and those healthful prayer habits changed for the worse when I moved away from my sleepy town. But does busy have to mean too busy for God? I am greatly encouraged by one very busy single mom I know, who in her very stressful job (and life) prays. She doesn't pray wordy or long prayers, but she frequently turns to God with whatever is on her mind. She sweeps her hand through the air to the side, and gives that thing/person/problem/situation over into God's care. This is a time-tested way of practicing the presence of God, by prompting ourselves to pray through the course of the day and in every activity of the day: in the shower, at work, when we see our favorite color, while driving, exercising or doing the dishes—in the mundane and in the busy times, consciously including God in our lives. As we whisper prayers, we are becoming more aware of God. And as we include praise, our load lightens and our focus shifts upward.

There are other patterns of praying without ceasing. Richard Foster in his book, Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home, describes the “breath prayer,” a short phrase that can be said in one breath, that is repeated to God as a way of coming into his presence. Here are some examples he gives: “O Lord, baptize me with love”; “Teach me gentleness, Father”; “Jesus, let me receive your grace”; “Gracious Master, remove my fear”; and one I've found myself saying recently, “Precious God, grow the fruit of your Spirit within me,” (reflecting on Gal. 5:22-23). A breath prayer is a very individual request of specific need, so each person's prayer is unique. It expresses trust and openness to God's working deep within. Finding our own “breath prayer” takes some searching. We may have more than one, and we may find that they change over time, as God's work within us is completed.

Ceaseless prayer takes practice. For those of you who fear it would be one more “thing” in a very busy life, realize that the practice of prayer draws one inward and upward to the point that, as Thomas Kelly discovered, “it takes no time, but it occupies all your time.” There is much to learn!

Those who have practiced ceaseless prayer have found increased communion with God resulting in so much more peace, joy and serenity. So this summer I encourage you to keep in touch with God. Maybe in the more relaxed pace of this season we can pick up a healthy prayer habit which will draw us closer into the amazing presence of God.