Continually in prayer

I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

What does it mean to be "continually in prayer?" It is fairly axiomatic among Christians I've spoken to, that we should be doing this. However each conversation ends up with: "Yeah, but then you have to go to work. Maybe go back into prayer during lunch or on the commute home." So we typically proceed in thinking that "continually" means "daily" or "regularly."

Here's another suggestion. God calls us into a loving relationship. When you love someone, you're thinking about that person all of the time, occassionally to distraction. God being omnipotent can love everyone without becoming distracted. Then again, most people I know talk on the cell, or text, or at least eat fast food while they drive. If you can do that, can't you think about God, too? Perhaps being continually in prayer is the most important multitasking available to humans. If you want a loving relationship with God, you need to think about Him as you conduct ALL of your daily living.

Unreasonable? Maybe, maybe not. I'm sure you have done something your spouse (or S.O.) has asked you, "Were you thinking of me AT ALL when you chose to do that?" How much more so with God, Who loved you before you were conceived. The Bible suggests that the relationship between Christ and the Church (all Christians, the body of believers) is like a marriage. When we are "married" to Christ, we are expected to put on new clothes, a new life. New attitude, new behaviors...

And I suggest, new multitasking. Give it a shot. Perhaps you wear one of those rubber bracelets which says "WWJD," or have a Bible verse taped to your desk, or whatever. Just try to be continually in prayer, and see what God has in store for you.