Prayerfulness as a Habit

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Prayerfulness is an attitude

An attitude by which a constant relationship between God and believers is developed.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV 1900
Pray without ceasing.
Always does not mean that we are to neglect the ordinary duties of life; what it means is that the soul which has come into intimate contact with God in the silence of the prayer-chamber is never out of conscious touch with the Father, that the heart is always going out to him in loving communion, and that the moment the mind is released from the task on which it is engaged it returns as naturally to God as the bird does to its nest.
Prayer then loses every vestige of dread which it may once have possessed; we regard it no longer as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege which is to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty. E.M. Bounds, Purpose in Pray, (p. 325 Complee Works)

Prayerfulness is a way of life

Luke 2:37 KJV 1900
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
See also ; ; ; ,
See also
Psalm 5:3 KJV 1900
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
; ; ; ,
Psalm 55:17 KJV 1900
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: And he shall hear my voice.
Ps ; ; ,
Psalm 109:4 KJV 1900
For my love they are my adversaries: But I give myself unto prayer.
Ps ; ,
Daniel 6:10 KJV 1900
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Daniel 6:10–13 KJV 1900
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

Prayerfulness arises from a desire to be with God

Psalm 130:5–6 KJV 1900
I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, And in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord More than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
See also ;
See also
Psalm 42:1 KJV 1900
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O God.
Psalm 42:1–4 KJV 1900
As the hart panteth after the water brooks, So panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: For I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
;
Psalm 84:1–2 KJV 1900
How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the Lord: My heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

God’s acquaintance is not made hurriedly. He does not bestow his gifts on the casual or hasty comer and goer. To be much alone with God is the secret of knowing him and of influence with him.

Ps
God does not bestow His gifts on the casual or hasty comers and goers. Much time with God alone is the secret of knowing him and of influence with him.
God does not bestow His gifts on the casual or hasty comers and goers. Much time with God alone is the secret of knowing him and of influence with him.

Prayerfulness arises from an awareness of need that can only be met by God

1 Timothy 5:5 KJV 1900
Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
See also ;
See also
Psalm 86:1 KJV 1900
Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: For I am poor and needy.
;
Psalm 105:4 KJV 1900
Seek the Lord, and his strength: Seek his face evermore.
Ps

God’s acquaintance is not made hurriedly. He does not bestow his gifts on the casual or hasty comer and goer. To be much alone with God is the secret of knowing him and of influence with him.

Prayerfulness demonstrates a continuing trust in God

John 15:5 KJV 1900
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
See also
Psalm 63:1 KJV 1900
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, My flesh longeth for thee In a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Prayerfulness involves a heart that is right with God

Isaiah 1:15–17 KJV 1900
And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: Yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: Your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; Seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, Judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
See also
Matthew 6:7 KJV 1900
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
; pp
Mark 12:40 KJV 1900
Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
pp
parallel
Luke 20:47 KJV 1900
Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

Prayerfulness involves the need to be alert

Matthew 26:41 KJV 1900
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
pp pp See also
Micah 7:7 KJV 1900
Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: My God will hear me.
; ;
Luke 21:36 KJV 1900
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
;
Colossians 4:2 KJV 1900
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

Prayerfulness needs to be maintained even in difficult circumstances

Luke 18:1 KJV 1900
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
See also ; ; ;
See also ;
Acts 16:25 KJV 1900
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
; ;
1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV 1900
Pray without ceasing.
;
1 Peter 4:7 KJV 1900
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
“Prayer pulls the rope down below and the great bell rings above in the ears of God. Some scarcely stir the bell, for they pray so languidly; others give only an occasional jerk at the rope. But he who communicates with heaven is the man who grasps the rope boldly and pulls continuously with all his might”
Examples of people whose prayerfulness proved effective
Hannah, who prayed for a child See also
Elijah, an ordinary man who prayed See also ;
Nehemiah, a man who discovered God’s plan through prayer See also ; [1]
David, sustained through trials See also pp ;
Daniel, whose patience in prayer was rewarded See also
Jesus Christ, who perfectly trusted his Father See also ;
The early church, which was founded upon prayer See also ; ; ;
Paul, who prayed for all the churches which he founded or visited See also ; ; ; ; ; ; [2]
[1] Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).
[2] Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).
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