Want to know three actions guaranteed to bring delight?
These actions are recommended by the One who designed us, God himself, because of the blessings he’s built into them. He would have us: always rejoicing, always praying, and always giving thanks [1].
You might say, “I’ve experienced the delight of rejoicing in God’s goodness, and gratitude to him does uplift my spirit, but prayer? That seems more discipline than delight. Besides, how can we pray continually and keep up with the responsibilities of life?”
We’ll address the delights of prayer near the end of this post. As for praying always, we can relax. That’s not what God desires.
Continual prayer is more about an abiding attitude rather than an all-consuming pursuit–an attitude that includes:
- Faith, believing God exists and rewards those who seek him.
- Humility, as we acknowledge our dependence upon him for everything.
- Honesty, knowing that God is near to those who call to him with integrity.
- Expectancy, because he can do all things and is generous with his gifts [2].
Continual prayer is also about an abiding awareness of God’s presence and communicating with him throughout the day. For example, we can offer sentence prayers such as these:
- Thank you, Lord, for your strength; you will see me through today’s tight schedule.
- Grant your wisdom for this decision, Father.
- That woman over there reminds me of Tiffany. Bless Tiff, I pray; fill her with your joy and peace in spite of the challenges she currently faces.
- Thank you for quieting my nerves during the presentation this afternoon.
- What beautiful clouds you made today, Lord! I marvel at your artistry.
- Oh God, forgive me for getting so upset with that rude driver. Calm the anger within me.
- Such disturbing news heard just now. I pray against the forces of evil that cause such suffering. I pray that your right hand, majestic in power, will shatter the enemy at work in this situation [3]!
We’d do well to remember:
Edge your days with prayer;
they are less likely to unravel.
Unknown
Third, continual prayer is about persistence. When prayers go unanswered, Hannah of the Bible provides an example for us. “She pressed in ever closer, filling the space of her wait with prayer” [4].
I love that: “filling the space of her wait with prayer.” We too can experience delightful, calming confidence in God while persisting in prayer through the wait.
The great preacher, Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), had this to say about continual prayer:
To pray continually takes effort; it’s easy to let distractions interfere. That in turn leads to such adverse effects as frustration, irritation, a lack of peace, confusion, a short temper, weariness, and discouragement [5].
Oh, but what delights result when we maintain an attitude of prayer —in addition to our prayers answered! What follows is just a short list.
Communicating with God:
- Helps us focus less on trivial matters and more on glorious realities [6]
- Fosters peace [7]
- Increases our trust in God, our reliance upon him [8]
- Allows us to participate in what God is doing around the world [9]
- Helps us build a life-enhancing relationship with God [10]
Unceasing prayer can grow to be something we do
not because of discipline but because of friendship.
Desire. It’s where we’re headed,
if we’ll let Him take us there.
Sara Hagerty, Unseen, 227
Oh, yes Lord, that’s my desire, to experience the constant delight of communion with you, through continual prayer. Keep me mindful to pray my way through every day.
[1] 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
[2] Hebrews 11:6; John 15:5; Psalm 145:18 HCSB; Matthew 19:26; Psalm 84:11
[3] Lamentations 3:22-23; Isaiah 41:10; James 1:5; Psalm 94:19; Job 5:9; Exodus 15:6
[4] 1 Samuel 1:1-20; Lysa Terkeurst, Embraced, 174.
[5] Ray Pritchard, https://www.preceptaustin.org/1_thessalonians_516_commentary .
[6] Sarah Young, Jesus Calling, 135.
[7] Philippians 4:6-7
[8] Jeremiah 17:7-8
[9] Matthew 6:9-10; Philippians 1:19 offers an example.
[10] Luke 11:9
Photo credits: http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.commons.wikimedia.org (2); http://www.heartlight.org.
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From the Inside Out 
Sing Glory Glory Hallelujah for our SAVIOUR JESUS-YESHUA!! Amen Sister in JESUS NANCY!!
Love ❤ Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/
Kristi
Thank you for your AMEN, Kristi. And praise God for his inspiration!
I practice this continual prayer conversation with God every single day, Nancy. It is so easy to do when you intentionally look for Him in every facet of life. And yes, that was not always the case in the past, but I’ve found such peace and joy in this practice, it’s become a habit I can’t live without. Thanks for this inspiration today!
Blessings!
Thank you, Martha, for your affirmation that this is a valuable habit to acquire. As you highlight, just to experience more peace and joy makes the effort worthwhile!
Those sentence prayers are just like the ones I use almost daily. Thanks for the blue jay. That woman looks troubled, please help her. Before I buy this, help me make a good decision.
Thank you so much for these additional examples, Robert!
Another winning topic, Nancy. Thank you. I have been listening to messages about prayer lately, and now you have written about it as well. The same theme, of talking to the Lord like a friend seems to be repeated. I am so thankful for Jesus. He is there all the time. My dearest friend.
AMEN, Shelley! I can’t imagine life without him as my source of encouragement, support, wisdom, guidance, strength, joy, peace, and more!
All your bullet points are spot-on with helpful prayer hints easy to implement into one’s daily habits. Thanks, Nancy! The quote by Charles Spurgeon will encourage me, and hopefully others, to give our prayers a strong voice. Here’s another good prayer quote: “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” – Corrie ten Boom
Thank you, Nancy, for your encouragement and that quote from Corrie ten Boom. I’ve been collecting quotes for years, but am quite sure that one is not among them. Now it will be! 😁
Such a beautiful post. Thank you for this encouragement. I love talking to God throughout the day. What a gift we have in prayer! 🙌🤍🙏
Amen, Bridget, prayer is an astounding gift!
there is something so rich and rewarding in living a ‘praying without ceasing’ life. where would we be without living in His beautiful, attentive presence?
i’m so grateful for this relationship of grace He’s called us to.
Amen, Linda. God does offer us a relationship of grace, which he manifests in dozens of ways. Prayer is a glorious example. “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3)! I know you feel the same.
Thank you for this encouraging post on prayer. This is the second blog I have read this morning on prayer! God is always near, we can call on Him anytime and He is present. That is so comforting!
Amen, Pam. Isn’t it incredible? The God of the universe allows us to come into his presence any time, with anything that’s on our minds. You’re right–just that knowledge alone is sweet comfort!
Rejoice, pray and give thanks..I have those words posted on a personalized letter board in my bedroom..such a good reminder to see every morning! It might have been something I put on the board after reading an earlier post by you! Either way it’s always necessary and timely!
That IS a worthwhile reminder to see each morning, Alicia. ‘Think I’ll make one myself–maybe several to tuck here and there!
Thank you for this inspiring post! I feel like this was a little gift that I opened up before the weekend. Wishing you blessings!
How delightful for me to present you with a little gift today, Linda! Thank you for your encouragement.
Dear Nancy, this quote you cited (in black ink) lifts off my screen in neon:
“She pressed in ever closer, filling the space of her wait with prayer.”
Just the “sign” needed.
Thank you Lisa T. and Nancy Ruegg!
Those words caught my attention too, when I read them in Lysa’s book, Embraced. It warms my heart that you found them meaningful for your current circumstances, Laurie! Praise God!
This is another keeper, Nancy. There is so much powerful truth in what you wrote. The quotes you shared are perfect. I find myself throughout every day just talking to the Lord over both trivial and serious matters. Recognizing His hand in my everyday life has deepened our relationship, much like having a friend become a very best friend over the years. Thank you for all the time I know it takes to put a blog like this together. You are a blessing!
Thank you, Patty, for your kind words and the affirmation that continual prayer deepens our relationship with God. Intimacy with him does allow us to experience his glorious attributes more acutely, sublimely changing the atmosphere in which we live! Hallelujah!
Oh my! Nancy, what a great explanation and a wonderful reminder. I fail so often to have an attitude of prayer and thanks
Thank you for your steadfastness in researching. Such a blessing
I’m so glad this post provided blessing for you Sam. I fail also to present God an attitude of prayer and thanks as often as I’d like. It’s an area of desired improvement!
I always pick up on a few delightful details in your posts, Nancy. In today’s: “… prayer is about an abiding attitude…” and “Edge your days with prayer…” Poetic and encouraging words.
So glad you found encouragement and delight among the details, Dave. God is so good to come alongside and help me weave these posts!
To be in constant communication with the one who died for me and lives within my heart makes so much sense. We certainly don’t ignore those whom we live with, do we? That would be very strange!
Thanks so much for outlining the reasons we benefit and honor the Lord by living in an attitude, awareness, and persistence of prayer. What a better way to manage the worries of the world than by breathing in His Word with every breath.
I love this quote: “Edge your days with prayer;
they are less likely to unravel.”
As the song goes, “He’s only a prayer away!”.
I love that quote too, Cheri, about keeping our days from unraveling. Not only does it make sense to be in constant prayer, it pleases the one who died for us and lives within our hearts. And just as it’s gratifying to bring delight to loved ones, so it’s gratifying to bring delight to our most beloved Christ!
How much I need to be reminded of the constant stream of communication with my Lord! I experience those breath prayers daily, but persistence is a work in progress for me. This is really beautiful, my friend. Thank you.
Persistence is a work in progress for me too, Dayle! We can encourage one another to press on toward deeper intimacy with our Heavenly Father. / Praise God you found beauty here!
This post blesses and uplifts my spirit so much! Your love for Jesus shines through every word. Thank you, Nancy!
Oh, thank you for your kind encouragement, Jennifer. Praise God this post blessed and uplifted your spirit!
Attitude, awareness, and persistence! Blessings Nancy for sharing this bold and fulfilling testament about the delights we receive back from prayer. The thoughts of Charles Spurgeon add value to your own words.
Isn’t that a compelling image, pulling on the rope of the bell in the ears of God? I’m so glad you found it meaningful also, Richard!