Without Ceasing

Without Ceasing

Never stop praying.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

The Amish believe they must cover their heads to pray and that they must be ready to pray at all times. Amish women even wear a sleeping handkerchief at night, in case they wake up and want to pray:

One of the most symbolic of all garments among the women is the Kapp, or “head cap,” worn by every woman and even by infants. Girls from about the age of twelve until marriage wear a black cap for Sunday dress and a white cap at home. After marriage a white cap is always worn. . . . Though this headpiece has undergone some changes in detail, the present Amish cap is essentially the same as that worn by . . . women of earlier centuries. Among partially assimilated Amish or Mennonites of Swiss-German origin the cap has become a “covering,” “prayer cap,” or “veiling” required of women “when praying or prophesying” (1 Cor. 11:5).

We don’t have to consider all the details surrounding a kapp, but we do need to take seriously God’s command to pray without ceasing. Ephesians 6:18 says, “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

When I first became a follower of Christ, I didn’t know what that meant, but as the years go by, I’m learning that it means to have a running conversation with God. When a child is misbehaving, my thoughts turn to God in prayer and I ask Him for wisdom. When I’m tired, I pray for strength. When I need help with a work project, I ask. I can’t tell you the number of times an answer has risen up in my mind after I’ve prayed, when there was no answer before.

Talking with God throughout the day can be as real and symbolic as wearing a kapp. God is always there. All you have to do is start the communication.

Dear heavenly Father, I thank You that whenever I open my heart to talk to You, You are always listening.