Jesus encouraged His disciples to pray. “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you” (Matthew 6:6).  He showed many times by example the necessity of prayer. One of the disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). There is nothing more wonderful than the communication of a human soul with the infinite and eternal God.

As you stand each day to face the world, ask God to give you more love for Him and for His Word. Claim from Him a heart obedient to His Word and seek sufficient time for Bible reading and for prayer. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). Pray daily that the Lord will keep you clean through His precious blood and fill you with His Holy Spirit. Present anew your body as an instrument of righteousness for His service.

Pray “that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment so that you may approve things that are excellent” (Philippians 1:9-10). Ask for grace to display His character, no matter how difficult the circumstances. Pray “that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a many worthy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:9-10). Ask God to strengthen you to abide in Jesus, to overcome temptations and to live triumphantly in order not to be ashamed when Christ appears for you and His church.

Pray that God “may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him” (Ephesians 1:17) and “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthen with power through His Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). Pray for spiritual and physical energy in order to press on in your Christian life and to finish the work that He has planned for you to accomplish.

Thank God for your own salvation purchased through the blood of the Lord Jesus. Wait before God, asking Him to give you a vision of perishing souls that you may earnestly “redeem the time” (Ephesians 5:16). Thank Him for every opportunity which He has given to witness about His grace and goodness. Ask God to give you more opportunities to witness. Beseech Him to fill your heart with compassion to reach those people without Christ in their lives.

“Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Ask God for this mercy and grace so that you may “shine” and “serve” not only in your home and community but also in your church and place of business. At all times, you “ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1).