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Written by Johanna Zabala, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Ecuador 
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)
It is comforting to live according to what is set out in this passage, since the joy of the Lord is our strength through today's trials.
I believe that constant prayer goes deep within us, living out the desire to be in communication with, and linked to, the Power of God at all times. Then that communication and intimacy with God through prayer becomes a full part of us that truly unites us with Him.
Knowing how to be thankful for everything, whether good or bad, teaches, serves, and helps us to grow in faith, remembering what Romans 8:28 says. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
When we see both the will of God and ours, we know they must be intertwined with the Holy Spirit because the Heavenly Father wants to give us the best; and what is best for us is edification, as 1 Corinthians 10:23 says. Living in the will of God builds the character of Christ in each one of us, and that is why it should be a priority to seek His perfect will through absolute communication with the Maker of Life.
I faithfully believe that prayer will bring perfect and essential intimacy with the Heavenly Father, that communication with others will be achieved, and that we will radiate Christ through our faith and dedication as indicated in Galatians 2:20.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Knowing and loving the Lord, and as a follower of Christ, His teachings on prayer are of great inspiration to me. In Luke 22:42 NLT, the Lord Himself says, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” We see here that although on many occasions our will is different than the will of God, we must seek the Lord’s will every day. In times of tribulation, His will is perfect and we will only understand it and make it a reality when we are in constant communication with Him.
Everything Jesus did to save us certainly was not easy for Him; but His immense love, obedience, and faith led Him to fulfill the will of the Father and not His own as a human.
Another great prayer inspiration for me is Hannah, Samuel's mother, as described in 1 Samuel chapter 1, verses 1-28. Hannah, full of faith in her heart, was constant and very specific in her prayers. She ultimately received her desired answer—having a child—despite her advanced age and sterility, then offered him to the service of God in gratitude for the favor granted.
On this earth, through the Holy Spirit that unites us, many brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus teach us to be unwavering servants of faith through prayers to God.
Today, I remember, with great admiration and respect, Sister Carmen Franco, a reverent, faithful, and fervent woman of prayer. Sister Carmen grew up in a Christian home, describing her life as one full of great battles. Even so, she obtained material blessings, but more importantly, spiritual blessings.
One day in 2017, as she was praying about her need to meet with the Lord's church but not knowing where to go, some members of the Church of Christ La Mesa de Los Indios, in Mérida, Venezuela, knocked on her door and invited her to their worship service. She accepted their invitation. When she attended, she arrived with a heart full of gratitude because her prayers had been answered.
Beloved Sister Carmen never stopped meeting with the congregation. Even during the pandemic, she continued to attend. She would say, “God with us, nothing against us.” She was vigilant, following Covid guidelines when attending all gatherings. Her valuable example is inspirational because she was praying each time we visited her. She taught us to strengthen, as a Christian family, the need for prayer as a means of daily communication with the Lord, through every circumstance. She always prayed for everything and everyone. Without a doubt, Sister Carmen Franco inspired us with her commitment to prayer.
Although her living conditions were sparce, she was constantly grateful and shared what the Lord gave her. Hers was a house of prayer; she lifted everything to the Father.
Sister Carmen went to be with the Lord on December 31, 2021, praying and praising the King of Kings, who answered her prayers for a peaceful end.
Dear sisters, let us be women of prayer with hearts full of faith. Will we be willing to pray without ceasing?
Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas 
When we think of David, we often think of the shepherd boy… the youngest in the family… who killed Goliath, spent years running from Saul’s anger, became king, took another man’s wife, and had him killed in battle.
There is more to David than those events. There is his heart—a heart devoted to God in constant communication.
Samuel told King Saul in 1 Samuel 13:14 (ESV), “The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart.” This was said when David was still a shepherd, before he slew Goliath. God saw David’s heart.
In 1 Chronicles 17:16, we see David’s HUMILITY. Nathan told David he couldn’t build the temple, but the Lord was building a house for him: a dynasty of kings. “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far?“
In Psalm 73, we find a description of David’s relationship with the Father and why Samuel described him as a man after God’s own heart. Additional passages show David’s constant communication with God in various situations:
LOVE and TRUST:
Psalm 18:1, “I love you, O LORD, my strength.”
Psalm 37:3, “Trust in the Lord and do good.”
RECOGNITION for WHO GOD IS:
Psalm 9:1, “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”
Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” The rest of this Psalm continues to proclaim the majesty of God.
Psalm 40 is a prayer of THANKSGIVING for deliverance:
“I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation” (vs. 10).
OVERWHELMED by betrayal:
In Psalm 55, David pours out his heart because of the rebellion of his son Absolom. Ahithophel, one of his thirty mighty men and a trusted advisor, sided with Absolom.
He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. God will give ear and humble them… My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant. His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords… But I will trust in you. (55:18-23)
PROTECTION when fleeing from Absalom:
Psalm 3:3, “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”
REFUGE:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea…The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Ps. 46:1-2,7)
THANKSGIVING for God’s MERCY:
Psalm 103:8, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
WORSHIP and PRAISE:
Psalm 106:1-2, “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise?”
Heartfelt words of REPENTANCE after his sin with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! … Restore to me the joy of your salvation. (Ps. 51:1-2, 12)
THANKS for ANSWERED PRAYER:
Psalm 116:1, “I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.”
Psalm 119 is a prayer of GRATITUDE for God’s Word: “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! (vs. 1) Then in verse 11, David gives one of the keys to knowing and doing God’s will, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Being TRANSPARENT:
Psalm 139 closes with, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (vs. 23-24)
David allowed his life to be an “open book” before the Lord.
The Psalms show how David walked with God in all stages of life. He turns to God as we often do to a close friend who knows all our joys, hurts, and secrets, and that open communication molds David into a man after God’s own heart.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (29:13). David’s life is one of seeking relationship with God through constant communication in complete faith and trust. Are you developing your relationship with the Father through regular communication?
