Changing Unceasing Thoughts to Unceasing Prayers
“Our minds are always active. Do we have to become victims of our unceasing thought? No, we can convert our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer by making our inner monologue into a continuing dialogue with our God, who is the source of all love.”—Henri Nouwen in Bread for the Journey (HarperSanFrancisco, 1997).
Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof
The first book to understand unceasing prayer is Practicing the Presence of God. It is a small collection of the teachings and experiences of Brother Lawrence, a French Carmelite monk who was the cook for his community in Paris in the 17th century. Father Joseph Beaufort compiled the book from letters and four conversations with Brother Lawrence, as he described his walk with God—not from the head, but within his heart.
Brother Lawrence saw God in every aspect, every second of his life, as he washed pots and pans, purchased wine, or cooked meals—continually conversing with God. He never became weary of doing insignificant things for the love of God—believing that intervals of prayer should not differ from other times. Lawrence saw God as a friend he would not want to be estranged from, feeling God’s presence more acutely in sickness than in good health.
My favorite fictional role model for continually being in conversation with God is Tevye in the 1971 American dramatic musical Fiddler on the Roof.
I try to watch the movie several times a year and go to see the play whenever it comes close to Little Rock. It is long but worth journeying with Tevye in his ongoing conversations with God through a journey of love and many trials.
henri nouwen
