In Colossians chapter 4 Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT:
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; NASB
When we pray we establish in ourselves the reality that FATHER is the ONE WHO can affect change in the fullness of wisdom and understanding. We acknowledge that we only have a partial understanding of what is needed in any situation that presents itself to us. In Matthew chapter 5 Jesus spoke:
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you
Our prayers should include those who are our enemies as well which means that no one should be omitted from our prayers. If FATHER brings someone to the forefront of your consciousness then consider praying for them and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into the appropriate prayer. In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus continued:
5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”
Our prayer life should be directed solely toward FATHER without drawing any attention to ourselves from others. By entering into a quiet place our attention can be solely on our relationship with FATHER as we humbly pray to HIM. The more often we pray, the more sensitive we become to hearing HIS Voice. In this time of change it is critical that we hear HIM so that we stay on the right path. The enemy wants us to veer off the path FATHER has placed us on so that we become of none effect and that is why we are warned by Jesus Himself in Matthew chapter 24:
24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
The fact that Jesus warned us of the great deception should be sufficient to compel us toward a more intense prayer life. No one can claim to have a more intimate relationship with FATHER than Jesus Christ and He provided us with His example of the necessity to pray in Matthew chapter 14:
23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
And in Mark 1:35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
Anytime is a good time to pray. As we pray our faith in FATHER is affirmed because we seek HIS intervention knowing that without HIM we are unable to resolve the situation without HIM. The act of prayer itself builds up our faith in FATHER thus in Mark chapter 11 Jesus expressed this Truth:
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Why did FATHER have me write on this topic when most of the readers are seasoned believers? Even the most mature need to be reminded of the need to pray so that our Love does not grow cold and ineffective. As the challenges increase in intensity our prayer life must also increase in the same manner. We must be devoted to prayer so that we are fully prepared to defeat the enemy and save the lost. Jesus was fully devoted to prayer in order to fulfill His calling thus we should place the same emphasis on prayer as well.