When should we pray? Isn’t once a week at church enough? Or can I pray once a day and be done? Why do I need to do daily prayer? And how does daily prayer affect my contentment?
Praying once a week or even once a day isn’t enough. Prayer is our lifeline or open internet connection to God. I could not live without this simple communication that I do daily and throughout the day. Why is prayer so important? When do I pray? What do I pray? Are there benefits to prayer? And how does it have an effect on my contentment and satisfaction in life?
In Episode 11, Daily Bible study and how it is an important contentment principle because it brings us to the presence of God and we learn more about Him and how we can live this life. I talked about the benefits of being in His presence. Prayer is another way that we can be in the presence of God, and I want to dig into this concept further today.
Why Pray Daily?
God desires to be with us; the best way we can do that today is to pray and be in His presence.
This fact is shown throughout the Old Testament. In Genesis, God walked in the Garden of Eden and was there with Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8).
In Exodus, the Lord’s presence was with the Israelites going before them as they traveled. During the day He was in the pillar of Cloud and at night in a pillar of fire (Exodus 13:22 ESV).
The symbolism of the Bread of the Presence and Praying
In Exodus, God told Moses and Aaron how to set up the temple. While they were traveling in the wilderness, their temple was a tent, called the Tent of Meeting. One of the items in the temple is called the bread of Presence.
And you shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before me regularly.
Exodus 25:30 ESV
From David Guzik’s commentary, we find out the details of the bread of Presence and the symbolism of the table and the bread. The table symbolizes “constant communion with God.” I like that it is constant as it shows how God is always with us and wants to be with us. The bread or other foods that we eat each day is necessary for us to live. The bread symbolizes that we need fellowship or community with God every day.
Daily Prayers are a Pleasing Aroma to God
Sacrifices in the Old Testament were needed for repentance. These animals gave their lives so the one repenting could be in the presence of a Holy God. And they were needed because Jesus had not come to earth to be the sacrifice once for all.
In many references to sacrifices, it is a pleasing aroma to God. When I think of the burnt flesh, or a grain or wine offering, it doesn’t sound pleasing to me. But God is looking at the heart of the person doing the sacrifice. That is what is pleasing to Him.
A person who is coming to God and sacrificing with an upright heart, their prayer is pleasant to God. But those who come with evil or an unrepentant heart, it is a disgrace to God.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
Proverbs 15:29 ESVIn the Psalms, David wanted his prayers to be heard. But moveover, he wanted his prayers and praises to be like incense to God. He wanted them to be a pleasing aroma to God.
Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
Psalm 141:2 ESV
When should we Pray?
1. Daily Prayer Without Ceasing
Several times throughout Paul’s letters to the churches, he told them that they needed to pray daily.
We are told to “pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV)
The phrase ‘without ceasing’ means not to take a break or without intermission. We should be doing it all the time, without interruption.
2. Constant Prayer
And in Romans, we are told to “rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 ESV
In this verse, constant means to be devoted to or give faithful attention to something.
We need to be devoted to prayer and be faithful in praying for those around us, our needs, and doing God’s Will. Paul tells us to do this with thanksgiving.
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2 ESV
You are probably wondering how we can pray without intermission or constantly praying and get anything done. The short answer is we can’t possibly pray ALL day long. But we can pray throughout the day while we are doing other things. We can pray while doing chores around the house, doing work in the yard, or while driving our car (eyes open!). Since some jobs need your full attention, short little prayers can be said throughout the day. Or during a break, you can walk around outdoors and pray for specific requests that people at church or friends have requested of you.
3. Every Occasion
We are to pray on all occasions! And specifically in the Spirit and for all those who love Jesus.
Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:18 ESV
Old and New Testament Examples of Praying Daily
In the Old Testament, Nehemiah prayed for the people of Israel day and night.
Let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.
Nehemiah 1:6 ESV
And in the New Testament, Paul prayed for Timothy constantly during the day and the night.
I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 2 Timothy 1:3 ESV
The Benefits of Daily Prayer
1. Prayer changes things
The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:16 ESV
In Episode 13, I talked about this verse as an example of cross-referencing in Bible studies and how there are many examples of righteous men in the Old and New Testament who prayed and God answered.
In James 5:17-18, James gives an example of how prayer works. Elijah prayed fervently for 3 1/2 years for the rain to not water the earth, and it didn’t rain. Then Elijah prayed again, and it rained.
Have you ever watched weather forecasts? What is the percent of accuracy of these weather persons? I am thoroughly convinced that our prayers can affect the weather outcome. I have looked at the radar of a storm heading toward our neighborhood. And the clouds break up, and the storm goes around us. I am sure there is a scientific explanation of barometric pressure combined with heat, and wind, etc. I am not a meteorologist so I don’t know what I am talking about here. But my point is, if Elijah, who was a righteous man, could pray for the weather to stop and start again. We, who are also righteous, can do the same thing. And it doesn’t have to be about the weather either!
2. God Hears Us
God loves his children who heed his commands and are living a righteous life. In 1 Peter, Peter tells us that God’s ears are open to the righteous but not those who do evil.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.
1 Peter 3:12 ESV
3. Ask and Receive by Faith
When we believe and have faith that God will give us good gifts, He will do that.
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”
Matthew 21:22 ESV
What if He doesn’t give us what we ask for? It is possible what we asked for isn’t His best for us. Did we not have enough faith? Not necessarily. His answer may be not yet. There may be other reasons He wants you to wait. For example, I have had some ladies email me about finding their husbands. They are anxiously waiting for this person and wondering why God is taking so long. There could be many reasons. God may want you to grow in your faith so you are more mature. And He may have things that He wants your future spouse to learn and grow in their faith, too. We don’t know all of God’s reasons, but we know He has good plans for us. And we want His best!
4. Blessings Through Many Praying
When we pray for others, there are blessings that come from many people praying. I have heard people say that they have felt the prayers of others. It has gotten them through tough times and times of waiting. I know that while I have been looking for a job in the past few months, it has been encouraging to hear others say, I am praying for you. Then they genuinely ask how it is going and if there is anything else they can pray for.
Paul said that the many prayers of the Corinthians were a blessing to him and Timothy.
You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
2 Corinthians 1:11 ESV
How Daily Prayer affects our Contentment
Hopefully, you are beginning to see that daily prayer is necessary for our lives. Doing this and knowing that others are praying for you affects your contentment in big ways.
1. Prayer in God’s Presence Equals Joy
Have you ever spent time with a person or maybe an animal that you have joy from being around them? That is how I feel like when I have spent time in God’s presence. It lifts me up! I am joyful and want to praise God for the wonderful things that I have learned!
This verse is my favorite – so bear with me in repeating it again.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 ESV
2. Daily Prayer Calms your Worries and Results in Peace
Whenever I begin to worry about something, I need to start praying and being thankful for what God has done and what I know He will do. He is faithful and has shown me this many times in my life. When I do pray with a thankful heart, God’s peace guards my heart and mind.
Philippians 4:6-7 ESVDo not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
That peace we receive is more than we comprehend. Thank you, Lord, for your indescribable peace!
3. Setting your Mind on the Spirit Transforms You
Setting our minds on the Spirit instead of the flesh or things of the world is so helpful to us. I have prayed through this verse before and instantly with deep breaths, my heart rate and anxiety go down, and the contentment and peace of the Spirit go up within me.
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:6 ESV
Resource Library
You can get a printable of this prayer for contentment and peace from the resource library. Check it out and many other free resources.
