“Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:17, NKJV)
Prayer is a beautiful privilege given by God to His creation. The most basic definition of prayer is simply a conversation with God. In my lifetime, I have seen a number of prominent people from a distance, but I never had the opportunity to hold a conversation with any of them. Yet, at any given moment, I can personally converse with Almighty God. I can talk to the Creator of the universe. That amazes and humbles me.
Isn’t it strange that many have never taken advantage of the privilege of prayer, even though this opportunity is open to everyone. Some pray occasionally, often in times of trouble, but have not made it a daily discipline. How can we maintain a strong relationship with the Lord without consistently communicating with Him?
CONSISTENCY IN PRAYER
Colossians 4:2 tells us to “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving” (ESV). This thought of consistency in prayer is reinforced by I Thessalonians 5:16-18, which tells us to, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (NKJV).
When we are consistent in prayer, we are showing our dependence on the Lord. We may not be speaking actual words, but our heart is in tune with His heart. We feel a deep, abiding faith that we are safe in His care. We may not always be on our knees, but we are frequently sending praise and expressions of thankfulness to Him throughout our day.
THE HABIT OF PRAYER
King David was a worshiper, a habit that went back to his youth. It was because of David’s heart for God that he was anointed king. Acts 13:22 says, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (NKJV). Each day, throughout his day, David prayed—morning, noon and night. He was quick “to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night” (Psalm 92:2, ESV).
Daniel also developed the habit of prayer while young, a habit he did not forsake in all his years of living in Babylon. When his enemies could find nothing in his character to attack, they devised a plan to have the king ban prayer in the kingdom for thirty days. Daniel did not stop praying, just as they hoped he would not. He did not hide when he prayed, nor did he alter his times of prayer. He remained consistent in his habit of prayer, even though it meant he would then face a den of lions (Daniel 6).
“And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days” (Daniel 6:10, NKJV).
Jesus is our greatest example of consistency in prayer. Time after time He slipped away from the crowds, and even His own disciples, to find a quiet place to pray. Late at night, in the early morning hours, or whenever possible, Jesus prayed.
“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” (Mark 1:35, NKJV)
As we read through the Gospels, we find numerous references to Jesus praying. Here are just a few:
- He spent forty days in the wilderness fasting and praying (Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 4).
- He prayed at His baptism (Luke 3:21).
- He spent the night in prayer before calling His disciples (Luke 6:12).
- He prayed in Gethsemane the night of His arrest (Luke 22:40-44).
- He prayed on the cross (Matthew 27).
OUR PRAYER HABITS
As a child of God, prayer should be an integral part of our day every day. We need that closeness and communion with the Lord. Otherwise, without a consistent prayer life, our relationship with the Lord will fade. Consistent daily prayer isn’t about routine; it’s about relationship.
“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.” (Ephesians 3:12, NKJV)
PERSONAL REFLECTION
Is consistent prayer a priority in my life?
Do I have intentional times of prayer each day?
Do I use Scripture as I pray?
Do I express thanksgiving in my prayers?
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
