Cultivating a Constant Prayer Habit

I pray daily, hourly even. Cultivating this habit has taken years, sprouting more from sufferings than from joy and gratitude. Nights spent awake with sick family, long weeks wondering when my husband would be home from an unexpected work trip, and gut-wrenching seasons of heartbreak brought me to my knees. I clung to the only thing that gave me hope: prayer.

I didn’t always know what to say. Sometimes I still don’t. What should I ask for from the Lord? How do I praise Him? And how do I listen?

I’m still learning to pray. The Lord invites me to praise and thank Him in all things. He’s asking me to be vulnerable in prayer, to lean into trust, and to take action.

Usually that is as simple as offering the next task: “Jesus I trust in You. Let this be for your glory.” And then I do the next best thing.

Sometimes I see clearly how God answers me, and sometimes not. While reading about David, I noticed that his actions were like prayer “he offered thanks and praise with every deed” (see Sirach 48:8). In David, I see trust in the Lord and action flowing from trust in His graces. I see David staying in the Lord’s presence by offering everything in praise and thanksgiving.

I see a life of prayer in action. This is how I’m growing in constant prayer, too.

Jesus, come to my assistance.

Guide me in my conversations. Help me encourage my children and respond with grace to my friend. Thank You for the strength to run. I offer this for those who are ill, for their healing and endurance in suffering.

Make my work pleasing to You. Thank You for the skills and talents You’ve given me. May I use them for Your glory.

Fill me with your life, wisdom, love.

I offer my joy. Sorrow. Struggles. Victory.

For You, Jesus, I do the chores and each task that comes.

To You I surrender my fear and insecurities.

Walk this life with me, Lord. Be glorified in all that I do.

Amen.

The Lord invites me to praise and thank Him in all things. // Gina FenstererClick to tweet

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Gina Fensterer finds daily life to be perfect for practicing virtue and sometimes blogs about raising up saints (she has six children). She loves the Jesus prayer, long runs, and coffee at any time of day. She is a contributing author to our children's devotional prayer book called Rise Up. You can find out more about her here.