Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ^{1 Thessalonians 5:16-18}

Paul tells us to persistently pray to God. It is a kind of running conversation that flows from a settled dependence and should continue all your waking hours. There is no repetition, no formula, but instead thankfulness, confession, intercession, pleading, and petitions to God. The Bible is clear that God responds to persistence and often chooses to accomplish His will in answer to our prayers. James tells us that the prayers of the righteous can accomplish much. ^{Read James 5:16}

One of the primary reasons to pray is to ask God for the wisdom to know his will. He freely gives that to those who love him and experiencing the blessings of successfully living within his will builds your trust and faith. I love Paul’s prayer for Christian maturity in Colossians:

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. ^{Colossians 1:9-12}

Another important reason for persistent prayer is to ask God to take care of you and your loved ones. It is very comforting to know that God will never forsake those who love him.

Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ^{Philippians 4:6-7}