Prayer is very powerful and essential. The Bible encourages us to always pray and not give up. However, if you don't know how to keep praying, like many Christians, you may struggle a lot in having a constant prayer life.
Paul the apostle might have been one of the busiest men in his time from judging from the many letters in the New Testament --- however, he still exhorted believers to pray continually. Through this we see that continual prayer can be done. We need to pray for a lot of things: our families, environment, neighbors, communities, nations, leaders, churches, personal finances, incomes... Friends, we need prayer desperately.
Here are five Bible passages that urge us not to stop praying:
Matthew 6:9-13
"This, then, is how you should pray:
'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.' "
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 26: 40-41
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Couldn't you men keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
1 Samuel 12:23
As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
Mark 13:32-37 "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.
"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back-whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'"
Translated by Karen Luo
