The prayer that you have breathed to the Most High is itself a token of His grace already at work within you, for such desires as these come not from the flesh but from the Spirit of God. To hunger after a life of continual prayer is to prove that you have tasted that the Lord is good, and have no wish to live upon the husks of this world. Yet let me stir you up, lest this holy longing should cool into a mere wish and never show itself in the vigorous exercise of supplication.
Be careful that your prayers be not vague and wandering, but rather let them be definite and clear. When Jacob wrestled at Jabbok, he did not simply cry, “O God, help me,” but set his brother Esau’s name before the Lord and pleaded the covenant made with Abraham and Isaac. In like manner, bring your particular needs, your hourly cares, and your secret sins before the throne. A prayer that is not specific is often a prayer that is not real. You will find it a healthy discipline to name your mercies, confess your exact offenses, and spread your precise petitions before Him who knows your heart but delights to hear His child speak plainly.
And let your prayers be argumentative, as Jacob’s was. Plead the promises. The charter of the covenant is rich with words upon which the Lord has caused you to hope. When you say, “Remember Your word unto Your servant,” you stand upon ground that cannot be shaken. Never draw near as though you must invent a reason for God to be gracious; take instead the blood of Jesus, the unchanging oath of Jehovah, and the many “shalls” and “wills” of the inspired page, and press them home with reverent boldness. There is no prevailing prayer that goes beyond the bound of the divine promise. Quote His own words back to Him, for He cannot deny Himself.
Yet let me whisper a caution into your ear. It is possible for prayer itself to become a form, and even to be soured by secret sin. Search your heart, I pray you. An idol cherished in the inward parts will make the knees heavy and the tongue stammer. The Lord will not listen to a prayer that is shot with iniquity. If your life is wrapped up in gaining money, or if pride coils about your spirit, do not marvel if heaven seems brass. We must be quickened in private devotion, shaken out of our lethargy, and rid of those worldly loads that hinder us from wrestling with the Angel of the covenant. Cry not only for consistency in prayer, but for purity of heart to accompany it.
Beware also of the dreadful frame of mind that would secretly wish the Lord to depart, because His presence disturbs your love of ease. Peter in the boat seemed to cry, “Depart from me,” and many a Church and many a soul have practically mouthed the same by letting the prayer meeting grow thin and the spirit of supplication die. Do not let the fire on the altar go out. One warm, hearty prayer is worth a score of those packed in ice. When you find your own soul cold, pray for quickening, that the Spirit would blow upon the embers and kindle a flame.
If at any season it seems God does not answer, and you are tempted to think prayer a useless exercise, do not abandon your cry. Still cry in the daytime and at night, for the Lord will hear. Even our blessed Master, when upon the tree, cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” and yet he did not cease to pray. Delay in an answer is no denial. The Lord is teaching you to depend not on the present sense of His favor, but upon His naked Word.
Finally, take care that your prayer life is not swallowed up in a selfish concern for your own comfort. It was when Job prayed for his friends that the Lord turned his captivity. In the prayer meeting the Church may plead for individuals, and in the closet you must carry the burdens of sinners and saints. Let your daily prayer be steeped in the crimson dye of Christ’s sacrifice, for prayers without faith in Him are as useless as documents without a seal. Draw near with holy confidence, saying, “Accept us, for we rest in You alone.” So shall your walk become a speaking testimony, and your life be a life of continual dependence, as you learn to pray without ceasing in the street, in the home, in the business, and on the knees, until you live indeed in the atmosphere of heaven. Quicken me, Lord, should be your daily cry, and He who stirred that desire within you will Himself fulfill it.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, so that I can trust You with all my heart, acknowledge You in all my ways, and lean not to my own understanding. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. 
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