Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.
Colossians 4:2

Is prayer, to you, something you do before meals and when you go to bed? Or is it something, as Paul describes here, you do continually? Over the years of walking with Jesus, I have learned that prayer is simply a conversation with Heaven, and I don’t want to do anything that would break that communication line.

Not only do I want to keep that communication line open, I want that communication to be from my heart. All throughout our home, Sandy and I have pictures of our children and grandchildren. And as I walk into a room, I will look at one of my granddaughters and just begin to pray for them. “Lord, keep her pure. Lord, make her into the woman you want her to be. Lord, prepare the heart of the little boy who will one day marry my little granddaughter.”

Those are not just words that come out of my mouth from ritual or obligation. They flow right from my heart, and there is earnestness to them; a great deal of heart and effort is behind each of those prayers.

Like Paul, let me encourage you to continue in prayer; never stop. Don’t break that communication with your Heavenly Father. Stay earnest and vigilant and you will see God do amazing things through those prayers.

-Mike McIntosh