Spot the odd-one-out. Three are very hard to imagine - one is not. If we feel like we're the only Christian in the world that struggles with prayer, don't despair. Many others struggle too!  If any one finds prayer easy, then it could be they're just "saying prayers" rather than praying for real. Many have found it is a lot easier to do 2 hours Bible study than to spend 20 minutes in prayer.

When asked to explain the secret of his remarkable ministry, the noted British preacher Charles Haddon Spurgeon replied, "My people pray for me." St. Augustine said, "Pray as though everything depended on God, and work as though everything depended on you." Prayer is not an escape from responsibility; it is our response to God’s ability. True prayer energizes us for service and battle.

Paul's life was characterized by prayer:

Why was prayer so important to the Apostle Paul? Because prayer brings Christianity to life! It's effective, operational, active. As we pray, things will change around us and, more importantly, we will be changed. we will be brought right into the centre of God's plans as our prayers are answered.

Prayer quotes:

If your troubles are deep seated or long standing try kneeling (Anon).

Prayer is not the least we can do, it is the most (John Blanchard).

Paul has some pretty specific prayer requests:

Do we ever wonder about what we should pray for, with regard to other Christians? One person is quoted as saying, "To pray effectively we must want what God wants - that and that only is to pray in the will of God". One of the keys to praying effectively is to know the situations others are in and then to think about what they need to come through these situations in a way that would honour God and keep them faithful. The gospel of Jesus Christ had reached these Thessalonians; now Paul wants it to spread out across the world. He wants it to run swiftly without any obstructions. Think of one missionary we know. Pray today and every day that Satan's activities will be minimized allowing the gospel to prosper in that land.

What else can we pray for? Usually we would be praying for people and not things. Go through our contacts list - slowly. Think about each person and pray for their particular needs.

If one is praying for the Lord's servants, it is a good thing to tell them - they will be greatly encouraged that the righteous pray for them.

Paul is asking the Thessalonians for prayer so that "the word of the Lord may have free course." Paul had a very unique ministry. He was a missionary. He was an evangelist as we think of evangelists today. Actually that word evangelist in the New Testament means one who proclaims good tidings.

The Lord Jesus made it abundantly clear that if we expect God to hear and answer our prayers, we must live lives that are obedient to Him. The idea that we can live any way we want to and expect God to answer our prayer is a big mistake. The Lord said, "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." But He did not stop there. He continued, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:14-15). If we expect Him to answer our prayers, we must be obedient. We need to pray in the name of Christ, yes, but also we need a life to back it up.

What a blessing to know that in my times of deepest despair we can go into the throne room of our heavenly Father and He hears us. We can go day or night to Him, and He hears us. He never sleeps. He never slumbers. He is always there to listen to the cries of our hearts. Our Father loves and cares for us. What joy! Lord, give us strength to take it all to You.