Maid to Pray
Maid to Pray
There is a story about several ministers gathering together to discuss Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5.17, pray without ceasing. What does it mean? How is it possible? After much discussion and disagreement, the ministers could not agree on its meaning and application. They decided to meet again in a month after further study.
About this time, a young maid serving the ministers spoke up:
“What? A whole month to tell the meaning of this text?” she said. “It’s one of the nicest texts in the Bible.” A minister responded to her, “Well, Mary, with your busy schedule, can you find time to pray continually?” Mary said yes. The minister asked her to explain what she meant. “Well, sir,” said the young maid, “when I first open my eyes in the morning, I pray, ‘Lord, open the eyes of my understanding.’ While I am dressing, I pray that I may be clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness. When I am washing, I ask to have my sins washed away. As I begin my work, I pray that I may receive strength for all the work of the day. While I kindle the fire, I pray that revival may be kindled in me. When preparing and eating breakfast, I ask to be fed with the Bread of Life and the pure milk of the Word. As I sweep the house, I pray that my heart may be swept clean of all it impurities. When I am busy with the children, I look up to God and pray that I may always have the trusting love of a child; as I…”
“Enough,” interrupted the minister. “Go on, Mary,” he said, “pray without ceasing. As for us, brothers, let us thank the Lord for this lesson.”
(Story adapted and quoted from Developing a Healthy Prayer Life, Beeke.)
There is a story about several ministers gathering together to discuss Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 5.17, pray without ceasing. What does it mean? How is it possible? After much discussion and disagreement, the ministers could not agree on its meaning and application. They decided to meet again in a month after further study.
About this time, a young maid serving the ministers spoke up:
“What? A whole month to tell the meaning of this text?” she said. “It’s one of the nicest texts in the Bible.” A minister responded to her, “Well, Mary, with your busy schedule, can you find time to pray continually?” Mary said yes. The minister asked her to explain what she meant. “Well, sir,” said the young maid, “when I first open my eyes in the morning, I pray, ‘Lord, open the eyes of my understanding.’ While I am dressing, I pray that I may be clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness. When I am washing, I ask to have my sins washed away. As I begin my work, I pray that I may receive strength for all the work of the day. While I kindle the fire, I pray that revival may be kindled in me. When preparing and eating breakfast, I ask to be fed with the Bread of Life and the pure milk of the Word. As I sweep the house, I pray that my heart may be swept clean of all it impurities. When I am busy with the children, I look up to God and pray that I may always have the trusting love of a child; as I…”
“Enough,” interrupted the minister. “Go on, Mary,” he said, “pray without ceasing. As for us, brothers, let us thank the Lord for this lesson.”
(Story adapted and quoted from Developing a Healthy Prayer Life, Beeke.)
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