Quote by Henri Nouwen, Clowning in Rome

To pray, I think, does not mean to think about God in contrast to thinking about other things, or to spend time with God instead of spending time with other people. Rather, it means to think and live in the presence of God. As soon as we begin to divide our thoughts about God and thoughts about people and events, we remove God from our daily life and put him into a pious little niche where we can think pious thoughts and experience pious feelings. ... Although it is important and even indispensable for the spiritual life to set apart time for God and God alone, prayer can only become unceasing prayer when all our thoughts -- beautiful or ugly, high or low, proud or shameful, sorrowful or joyful -- can be thought in the presence of God. ... Thus, converting our unceasing thinking into unceasing prayer moves us from a self-centred monologue to a God-centred dialogue.

Summary

This quote explains that praying does not mean to separate thoughts about God from thoughts about other aspects of life. Instead, it suggests that prayer is about inviting God's presence in all aspects of our daily lives. The quote critiques the tendency to confine God to a limited and compartmentalized space within our thinking, where we can solely think pious thoughts. The author emphasizes that authentic prayer integrates all thoughts and experiences, allowing them to be brought into God's presence. Through this, prayer transforms our inward self-focused monologues into a meaningful conversation centered around God. Therefore, unceasing prayer involves continuously inviting God into our thoughts and engaging in a profound dialogue with Him.