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In 1 Thessalonians 5:17 the Apostle Paul says: Pray continually (NIV). Other translations of this verse say:

“be unceasing and persistent in prayer” (AMP)
“and never stop praying” (CEV)
“pray without ceasing” (ESV)
“Always keep on praying” (TLB)

As a new believer, I learned about the importance of prayer. I also learned that I needed to cultivate a lifestyle where I was in constant communication with God. A lifestyle where, no matter what I was doing, I invited God into my daily routine through a continual dialogue with Him.

I admit that there have been times when I did not live up to what the Apostle Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. For example, maybe a bill needed to be paid and I didn’t have enough money to cover it. As worry consumed me, I worked it out on my own. I never stopped to talk to God about it. Or maybe a barrage of life’s challenges all came at once. In an effort to just keep my head above water, I did the best I could to solve my issues.

Whatever the reason why I didn’t talk to God in those moments, it all served to stop my constant communication with Him.

Let’s start from the basics. Why do believers need to pray?

The Bible offers a number of reasons. Here are a few I lean on:

• We are admonished to pray

Philippians 4:6: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

• We follow the example set by Jesus when we pray

Hebrews 5:7: In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.

• We commune with God when we pray

Psalm 16:11: You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

As believers, we must pray. Thankfully, through His scriptures our loving Father provides help.

If you need to learn to pray, remember Luke 11:1 says: Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” The verses that follow show that Jesus did just as the disciple asked.

If you feel your issue is too small to bring to God’s attention, just know that He wants you to bring it all to Him. Hebrews 4:16 says: Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

If what you face is so heavy on your heart that you do not even know how to pray about it, there is help for you. Romans 8:26 says: Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

If you feel like God is not listening when you pray, this is far from the truth. Psalm 34:15 says: The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry.

Here’s my parting question. Is your prayer life fashioned after 1 Thessalonians 5:17? If you answered no to this question, I urge you to take a moment to ask God to help you develop a lifestyle of prayer; a lifestyle where you are praying continually. The more you pursue constant communication with God, the more you will learn about Him. The more you learn about God, the more you will love Him. The more you love Him, the more you will pray.