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doesn't exactly mean that we should be praying every instant, though we can be doing that also, but not if we are to think a prayer, or speak a prayer, for how could we then be getting on with other things that need all our attention at the time? But there are prayers that are not spoken or even thought of. You have seen the mariner's compass. When the ship is tossing about, the compass trembles and swings to and fro, but it always comes back and points straight to the north. That's where it wants to go to; every time it points to the north it seems to pray, "Let me go there!" Now why is this needle so constant about this wish to go northward? Because it has got in it a spirit that belongs to the distant Pole, and so, even while it is busy in telling the sailors how to steer, it is itself always turning to the north, because its life lies that way. So we may be very busy about other things, and need to fix all our attention upon them; but if our heart is right with Jesus, we shall be always wanting to do things for His sake, and do them right; and that big wish that is always in the heart is a continual prayer.

(J. R. Howat.)

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KJV: Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

WEB: rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;