Be Constant in Prayer

Prayer is like breathing. We need prayer to grow, sustain and thrive in a deep relationship with God. It also proves to be one of the most difficult things to prioritize when we are distracted and busy. When we aren’t praying as if it’s the air our souls need, we’ll feel far away and isolated from God. He has more for us than this. In His kindness, He is near to us and listening whenever we turn to Him in prayer. How could we not fully lean into Him as a response to this kind of love? 

Recently, God has been inviting me to intentionally pursue a deeper prayer life.

I realized that with God's help, my prayer life can become more abundant and life-giving. Scripture is rich with teachings and instruction on prayer. Sometimes, we forget why it’s important to pray, when we should be praying, and what we should be praying for. These Scriptures are an encouragement for us to lean into a deeper, more rich prayer life. 

Jesus prayed and instructs us to pray: 

Jesus spent time in prayer with God, and we should strive to imitate Him. Luke 6:12 says, “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God” 

Jesus instructs listeners to pray in the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew 6:9-13 says, 

“Therefore, you should pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,

your name be honored as holy.

Your kingdom come.

Your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not bring us into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one. 

God listens to our prayers. He listens to His children who He loves. 1 John 5:14-15 says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 

When to pray: 

Scripture invites us to pray always, being in constant communication with Jesus. In our lowest moments, greatest moments, in illness, and everything in between, pray and give thanks to God. 

Romans 12:12: “be constant in prayer” 

1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing” 

Colossians 4:2: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving”

James 5:13: “Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” 

What to pray for: 

Pray for God’s will. 1 John 5:14 says, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us”

Pray about your anxieties, and give God thanks in all things. Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 

Pray for strength in the face of temptation. Matthew 26:41 says, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Pray for your enemies. Matthew 5:44 says, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Pray for leaders and authorities. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

Pray for believers and those you love. Ephesians 1:15-17 says, "For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better."

Even when we don’t know what to pray, the Spirit intercedes for us. Romans 8:26 says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” 

God has graciously blessed me and is constantly changing me through prayer. Being intentional about my prayer life has been transformative for my relationship with God. Instead of relying on myself or anyone else, He is the One I turn to first in each moment. He desires for us to earnestly seek Him and bring us closer, as He desires to shape us through our prayers. These verses can motivate and encourage us to pray more frequently and with greater purpose.

God listens and He answers. May we turn to Him with believing and trusting hearts. <3