Robert Benson – In Constant Prayer

The Ancient Practices series, published by Thomas Nelson, contains forgotten or (in our Western version of Christianity) neglected practices. Robert Benson presents a structure to be In Constant Prayer. No, it’s not a appeal to be in prayer 24/7 personally, but follow the tradition of office hours, fixed-hours praying, or alternative names and set apart time to be in communion with our Heavenly Father. The classic discipline of praying at fixed times during the day and night has transformed the lives of millions around the world. Robert Benson shares his part in short chapters, with one-liners at the first page, personal stories and very insightful spiritual lessons. What did Paul mean when he encouraged the Thessalonian church to “pray without ceasing, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”? Because God intended to be in contact with us.  The origins of fixed time prayer go back into ancient Israel. They are not invented by monasteries, Roman-Catholic church or even Christianity. Second, both personal as well as corporate worship and prayers are important. Each supports the other. If you think of all prayers prayed each day, and each moment of the day, truly there is a constant prayer amongst God’s people. It’s not important at which time you pray, as long as you take time for God. It’s not important either whether you use a prayer book, and if you do, which one. Some lessons:

“Sometimes it seems we have convinced ourselves that even though we are expecting God to work in mysterious ways on our behalf, our call to offer praise and worship to the One who made us is the sort of thing that can be taken care of once a week in an hour or so between the Sunday school and the Sunday buffet.” (p.54)

“To say the office is to say that I am going to keep doing my chores. I am going to keep raking the leaves or mowing the grass or pulling up the weeds, even if it is a long time until the roses bloom. I will keep saying these psalms until the prayer of God rises in my heart. I will offer my thanksgivings even when I am not very thankful. I will offer my prayer and praise on the days when I am tired or distracted or busy or lost. This sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving is not only reasonable, but in the end, it may even make me lively somehow. Maybe even fully alive.” (p.57)

“Time is the real currency of our age, and we have to manage our time in relation to our spiritual life as much as we do in relation to any other part of our lives.” (p.88)

The readable format, Benson writes as a poet, a writer, not a theologian or monk, makes In Constant Prayer of great value. As appendices a sample morning prayer, additional resources on prayer life as well as a study guide are offered.

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