In Scripture we are instructed to pray without ceasing; that is, to maintain a constant attitude of thankfulness and to vigilantly practice the presence of Christ. However, care must be taken lest this familiarity result in a failure to acknowledge God’s majesty and glory — that taking pleasure in his immanence we fail to acknowledge His transcendence.
Consider this story from the Talmud (Tanhuma Buber, Miketz, 11) which entails a similar message;
It is said that Antoninus once asked Rabbi Judah ha-Nasi: “What is yoru opinion with respect to prayer at every hour?”
“It is forbidden,” was the reply, “lest a man become accustomed to calling upon the Almighty falsely.”
Antoninus did not appreciate the force of the answer until the Rabbi presented himself once every hour, beginning int he early morning, and greeted him with nonchalent familiarity: “Good morning, O Emperor; your good health, O King!”
The Emperor indignantly exclaimed: “How dare you treat royalty with such disrespect?”
“If you, a mere mortal King, object to being saluted every hour, how much more the Sovereign King!”
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