Must a woman wear a covering all the time since we are commanded to pray without ceasing?
Question:
Dear brother,
Thank you for many of your great articles, which I also use in Bible teaching. I agree with you about the head covering. I am a woman. I have a question regarding how often and where a woman should wear the head covering.
I ask this because of the command to pray continuously. Since a woman is to pray continuously, just like a man, does this mean we should wear the head covering in the shower and in bed when praying? How about washing our hair? If we start to pray and realize we don't have a head covering, should we stop praying? What about at night if we wake up? Should we get up and get a head covering to try to cover with the sheet?
Thanks for your response. This is something I have been concerned about and thinking about for 10 years or more. Or would it be that head coverings are for corporate prayer (brothers praying in worship and/or meals, at home, etc.)?
Thanks. Your sister in Christ.
Answer:
"Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Many people misinterpret Paul's words, believing that prayers must be offered continuously, 24 hours a day. Consider that Paul also said to "rejoice always." Does that mean people are sinning when they are sad? Yet, we know that Jesus wept (John 11:35). Solomon said that it is better to go to the house of mourning (Ecclesiastes 7:2). Therefore, Paul's statements are hyperbole -- stated in the extreme to emphasize that Christians are to have a positive attitude in life—notice that the prayers being offered are stated between rejoicing and giving thanks. An important part of prayer is thanking God for what He has done on our behalf. "For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers" (Ephesians 1:15-16). The idea of "prayer without ceasing" means not to give up praying. There are always things we can express our appreciation to God for.
The head covering is a symbol of submission. (See "Should women use head coverings when praying?")
A similar question would be: if a man is in the middle of battle, must he remove his helmet to offer a quick, silent prayer? Looking for exceptions to the rule doesn't invalidate the general rule. A person does it the way God commands to the best of his or her ability. A woman could use something nearby to cover her head if a covering is not available.
