Did you remember to call home today? Prayer is a privilege we must not neglect. God says we are to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). James 5:16 tells us “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Looking at the life of Jesus, we see a man of prayer. If the Son of God prayed often, surely we must be people of prayer as well.

An ancient writer by the name of Cyprian said, “Be constant in both prayer and reading; now speak with God, now let God speak with you.” Tertullian wrote, “Prayer is the wall of faith: her arms and missiles against the foe, who keep swatch over us on all sides. So we never walk unarmed.” Cyprian again wrote, “With mutual prayers, let us by turns cherish, guard, and arm one another.”

In order to enjoy the greatest blessings from prayer, let us devote ourselves to prayer. Perhaps, it would be helpful to set a schedule for regular times of prayer. Perhaps, we could benefit by keeping a list of individuals and needs that need to be addressed in prayer. Perhaps, it would be helpful for us to use our daily reading from Scripture to help dictate what we bring before the throne of grace.

Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life–Psalm 42:8.