Original Research - Special Collection: HTS 75th Anniversary Maake Masango Dedication

Uninterrupted prayer – A spiritual challenge

Kees Waaijman
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 75, No 4 | a5578 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v75i4.5578 | © 2019 Kees Waaijman | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 27 May 2019 | Published: 21 November 2019

About the author(s)

Kees Waaijman, Faculty of Theology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; and, Titus Brandsma Institute, Nijmegen, the, Netherlands

Abstract

This contribution probes the question how the biblical instruction to pray continuously was understood in the history of Christian spirituality. It investigates two main traditions of interpretation. The first tradition interprets the instruction from a material-temporal perspective. Prayer should be, in the literal sense of the word, everlasting, never ending and perpetual. The second tradition focuses more on the relationship with God, its permanent character, and its lasting and enduring quality. It has to do with the question how a sustainable growth can be improved. It is a spiritual challenge, requiring an in-depth understanding and conversation, to consider and reflect on the difficult and complex interaction between these two approaches.

Keywords

prayer; 1 Thessalonians 5:17–18; spirituality; spiritual practices; uninterrupted prayer

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