A Pattern for Prayer

“I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth...
...I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:1, 4

By now you are likely feeling at home with the introduction to Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians (1:15-16). Paul practiced a pattern in prayer. His heart and mind were full of thoughts of God’s many blessings. The result was a spirit of thanksgiving and the practice of praise. The more He praised God, the more He sought God’s further interventions in His life and the lives of others.

Paul comes to God with a great sense of expectancy because his heart is full of the knowledge of all that God has already done. The psalmist also practiced this spiraling prayer life. The more God did, the greater was his praise, thanksgiving, petition, expectation - and praise.

Is God pleased with this arrangement? Yes. For how much does our heavenly Father delight in giving good gifts to those who ask. Paul was not an individual who was turned inward. He thanked God for the mercies he received personally. Then, keenly aware of his brothers and sisters in Christ, he felt a duty to give thanks on their behalf also.

Will you work Paul’s spiraling pattern of prayer into your experience? Praise. Thanksgiving. Petition. Expectation. Praise. Again. And again.