Do you pray? If you do, how often? David said in Psalm 55:17, “Evening, and morning, and at noon will I pray.” Paul said, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Why should we do this? What will prayer do?

Is there a need, something that is lacking in your life? “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matt. 7:7). Is there a sickness within you or a loved one? “The prayer of faith shall save the sick” (James 5:15). Is there a sin that has beset you? “Pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22). Is there a blessing you have received? “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2). Is there a joy in your heart? “Rejoice in hope; …continuing instant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12). Is there time left over from life’s busy ways? “Enter into thy closet, and …pray to the Father which is in secret” (Matt. 6:6).

“Men ought always to pray, and not to faint,” said Christ in Luke 18:1. Paul told Timothy, “I will therefore, that men pray everywhere” (1 Tim. 2:8). “The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16). “Oh, what peace we often forfeit; Oh, what needless pain we bear; All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer” (Joseph Scriven).