God’s people are always a praying people. In fact, one might say that is it the characteristic of God’s people mentioned most often in the scriptures. For instance, there is hardly a single Psalm that does not mention God’s people calling out to him for salvation.
Yes, God’s people make a habit of praying daily. It is the way in which they respond to God’s communicating his grace to them in Word and Sacrament. They speak back to him in prayer. The interplay between him communicating his grace and God’s people communicating their utter dependence upon him sustains and nurtures the relationship first forged though repentance and Baptism.
In general, when we speak of a habit, we refer to one of two things. A habit can be something that is rather rigidly disciplined into one’s life intentionally. It is the runner who runs x amount of miles each day at the same time of day. But a habit can also be something much less scheduled and yet constantly present. It is the mother constantly picking up after her children and husband.
Prayer should be a habit in both of these senses. It should be regular and constant. Regular prayer is the habit of intentionally setting aside specific times for prayer each day. Constant prayer is the habit of not knowing a time when prayer is not appropriate
Regular prayer is praying before meals and before bed. But it is also the practice of setting aside a time each day to pray and to be taught by God’s word. It is the head of the household leading the people of the home in prayer. Ex corde (from the heart) prayers are used here but the prayers handed down over the generations form the structure of daily prayer. The family finds themselves wrapped up not only in prayers that capture their immediate concerns but also find themselves praying the prayers of Mary, Simeon, and Jesus among others.
Constant prayer is about praying whenever a need arises or whenever there is a free moment. The ancient prayers of the church can also find their place here but more often than not these prayers are simply crafted according to the need. This is praying for the people involved in the car wreck one just saw. This is parents lifting up their children who are not home when they were supposed to be. This is the young adult praying that they look over an ever-growing stack of bills. Constant prayer recognizes God’s constant care over all parts of our life.
Praying daily that is about both of these kinds of prayer. It is about regular prayer which happens at the same time every day and about constant prayer which happens at any time every day. Both of these types of prayers are ultimately a gift that God gives to his people. To be allowed speak and be heard by the Almighty God is a gift indeed. And when you add to that the fact that God has promised to not only hear but to answer our prayers, the gift is magnified.
Praying daily is just what the people of God do. They can not help but respond to his wonderful communication of grace to them. It is a habit of those made holy by Jesus.
This post is part of a series called Seven Excellent Habits.
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