Do Not Lose Heart

"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."  -Galatians 6:9

Sick in Bed

"....I was sick and you looked after me...." --Matthew 25:36

Supplies All Your Needs

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."  -Philippians 4:19

Provision

"Those who work their land will have abundant food."  -Proverbs 12:11

Weaned

"I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content."  -Psalm 131:2

Signs and Wonders

"[The LORD says:]  I have heard your prayer and seen your tears...."  -Isaiah 38:5

Giving Liberally

"As he taught, Jesus said, 'Watch out for the teachers of the law.  They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.  They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers.  These men will be punished most severely.'" -Mark 12:38-40

Never Alone

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" -Hebrews 13:5

Weak and Poor

"Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble."  -Psalm 41:1

No Doubts

"But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." -James 1:6

Little Flock

Jesus said, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom." -Luke 12:32

Do Not Forget the Lord

"When you have eaten your fill, take care that you do not forget the Lord."  -Deuteronomy 6:11-12

Living for Him

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord rather than men."  

-Colossians 3:23

Only One Master

"No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and wealth."  -Luke 16:13

Abundance

"Consider this:  Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.  Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion.  For God loves a cheerful giver."  -2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Part of the Flock

"God...has been my shepherd all my life to this day."  -Genesis 48:15

God's Comfort

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you." -Isaiah 66:13

Eternal Glory

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."  

-2 Corinthians 4:17

Prayer

"Everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."  -Matthew 7:8

Jesus speaks these words during his discourse known as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).  My study Bible lists (with scripture references) the following conditions for effectual prayer:

1. a right relationship of repentance and faith, for God never promises to answer the prayers of unbelievers although He may occasionally choose to do so
2. an earnest and spiritual desire
3. a confidence in God which leads the petitioner to ask in simple trust
4. a faith which believes that God is both able and willing to answer
5. a reception of the anticipated answer by faith as we appropriate or lay hold of that which we have not yet received

The footnote adds:  "While there are many hindrances to prayer, all of them may be comprehended under two general classifications:  sin and unbelief."

There are many, many books on how to pray and I've read lots of them.  I've attended prayer meetings and led a prayer chain.  I've had prayers answers and some not.  One could make a case for praying without ceasing and another for once is enough because to keep on praying is to show a lack of faith that God has answered.  I've heard the sentiment that the only prayer we need to pray is one of thanksgiving.  Some advocate a set time of day and length of time to pray.  It can quickly become a chore to pray if you to turn it into a formula.  You lose the whole purpose of prayer which is to have a relationship with God.

As I write the verse that comes to my mind is Romans 8:26:  "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words."  Knowing that I need only call out to God and He will do the rest simplifies prayer in a way that encourages me to pray unceasingly.  

I am grateful that if I am humble enough to ask and trusting enough to search, I will find my way to God who gives me His Spirit who intercedes for me, making my request known to Him through which I will receive all that I need--even if it's not what I was expecting.

Deep Wells

"'Sir,' the woman said, 'you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep.  Where can you get this living water?'" -John 4:11