Prayer is a powerful (and commanded) activity that believers sometimes neglect or dismiss as unimportant. Yet even our Lord, Jesus, “often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16) Even now, Jesus “always lives to intercede for those who come to God through Him.” (Hebrews 7:25)

Search the Gospels for the word “withdrew” and note how many times Jesus “withdrew” from His work, from the crowd, from His own disciples, and from the world in order to pray on the mountain, in the dessert, or in the garden. “After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” (Matthew 14:23) It is important to Jesus and it should be important to us to get away to pray. “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” (~Matthew 6:4a)

We become powerless when we neglect prayer. “Watch ye therefore, and pray always.” (Luke 21:36a, KJV)

We are told to “Pray without ceasing,” or in the NIV, “Pray continually.” (1 Thess. 5:17) “Are you in trouble? Pray! Are you happy? Pray!” (~James 5:13) Pray for your family; pray for you friends; pray for your enemies; “pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5) Live a life of prayer!

Observe the correlation between your prayer life and your physical life. The Bible says, “Are you in trouble? Pray!” Do you see need for change in your life or others around you? (spouse, children, friends) Pray! God reaches hearts when you can’t. “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind.” (Jeremiah 17:10a)

The way I think of it, there are many forms of prayer. Praise, being still, (resting), thankfulness, shouting, dancing…even working can be our worship, praise, and prayer to God. As we grow in maturity and discipline in prayer we begin to see how we can truly “pray without ceasing.” Jesus prayed that we would be one as He and His Father are one. Our communion with God is related to our prayer life. Pray and commune personally with God.

The Psalms are full of prayers. Just reading them can be prayer. Take time to read them today. They can teach you how to pray. “I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.” (Psalm 13:6)