Scripture says we are to “pray without ceasing”. I wondered for a long time how that should be understood. There are few things that I do without ceasing. My heart keeps on beating without ceasing. Even when I am sleeping, my brain keeps on working and will wake me if I stop breathing. However, I am not really conscious that these things are happening.
Prayer would seem to involve some engagement, some thought. How can it be unceasing? Perhaps prayer is also about what direction I am facing. I am not always conscious that God is present, but I know that God is always there. If my whole life is turned in His direction, He is always present with me and I am always present with Him. It is not so much that I am conscious every moment of his closeness, but I am always connected to Him. Over short moments I can concentrate on prayer, but even in the long view my attitude and intention is prayerful.
Perhaps praying without ceasing is not about concentrated prayer but rather an attitude that is constantly turned toward God in every moment, conscious and even unconscious. That kind of prayer I might be able to do without ceasing.