There is a need to sustain the fire of prayer to set you completely free from the presence of the devil because he does not like those who take refuge in God. Jesus was always in communion with His Father through regular prayer, hence He is able to know and do the will of His Father. 

Jesus said to Peter in Mt. 26:40-41, 44 “How is it that you three were not able to keep watch with me even for one hour? Keep watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Again Jesus left them, went away, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.”

Each of us has our daily tasks and we need God’s strength and guidance to enable us to experience success. Those who have formed the habit of communicating with God regularly knowing fully well that they cannot do anything good without God’s grace will surely do the needful and be victorious.

If on the other hand, you go to God only when you have problems you are not likely to conquer your fears, overcome temptations and be victorious. 

Daniel was in constant communion with God and he achieved a lot through the power of God. His enemies made efforts to bring him down through the influence of the King who made a rule that would stop Daniel from praying to God but he disappointed them.

In Dan.6:13, 16, 19, they said to the king, “Daniel one of the exiles from Judah, does not respect your majesty or obey the order you issued. He prays regularly three times a day.” So the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and he was thrown into the pit filled with lions. But the lions so became friendly with him that they did not hurt him as his enemies expected. 

1 Sam. 1:11 says, “Hannah made a solemn promise: ‘Almighty Lord, look at me your servant! See my trouble and remember me! Don’t forget me! If you give me a son, I promise that I will dedicate him to you for his whole life and that he will never have his hair cut.”

And when God answered her prayer she dedicated her son, Samuel to God as she promised. Are you troubled and want to be liberated? God has not changed: have faith in God and approach Him with trust but wait on Him patiently with a repentant heart for His response. 

Jesus was in the habit of praying to His Father (our Father) especially before He made a major decision. In Luke 6:12-19 Jesus prayed for a whole night before He chose His disciples. Before He completed His mission, “Jesus left the city and went, as He usually did, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples went with Him. ‘Father’ He said, ‘if you will, take this cup from me. Not my will, however, but your will be done.” Lk. 22:39, 42. 

Your prayer draws you closer to God who is ever ready to save His people from distress. Acts 16:25-26, 35 says, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

Suddenly there was a violent earthquake, which shook the prison to its foundations. At once all the doors opened, and the chains fell off all the prisoners. The next morning the Roman authorities sent police officers with the order, “Let those men go.” That was how Paul and Silas regained their freedom through God’s intervention.

Some of us are in the habit of coming to God only when we have problems and need miracles. And as we pray for a breakthrough, we start calling Him, the God of Miracle.

When He answers us out of mercy and compassion, we thank Him briefly and turn away from Him until we have more problems to solve.

Like Our Lord Jesus Christ who prayed to His Father regularly, we too should pray often to enable us familiarize ourselves with God and make Him happy with us.

God has a plan for every one of us and it is only by our regular communion with Him that we get to know and recognize His voice; know and do His will to flow in His plan accordingly.

So was it with David who as a little boy was almost abandoned in the bush to cater for the sheep where he had to wrestle with lions and other terrible animals.

He was doing his best as he watched over his flock of sheep. Later God made him a king over His people. David despite his achievements did not boast of his wisdom but that of God who elevated him to a position beyond his expectations.

We need the Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety and Fear to enable us to function well as children of light. For the gift of the Holy Spirit to bear fruits in our lives, we need constant examination of events within and around us, seeking his will and being ready at all times to yield to him. “He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him, there is no falsehood” Jn7:18. 

“My son, if you take my words to heart, if you set store by my commandments, turning your ear to wisdom, and applying your heart to truth: yes, if your plea is for clear perception, if you cry out for discernment, if you look for it as if it were silver, and search for it as for buried treasure, you will then understand what the fear of the Lord is, and discover the knowledge of God.

For the Lord Himself is the giver of wisdom, from his mouth issue knowledge and understanding” Prov. 2:1-6.

A child who interacts with his parents constantly stands the chance of gaining wisdom and favours from them, unlike other children who distant themselves from their parents.

In the same vein, if you pray to God only when you need His help, you are not likely to benefit much from Him. 1 Thess. 5:17-19 says, “Pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Let your fire of prayer keep burning; do not quench it by disconnecting yourself from God with sin.