David found that his love for the Lord grew because he saw that God, over and over, answered his prayers. When believers get answers to prayer, they want to pray more.

Prayer should be the natural expression of the soul in response to our Lord Who loves us more than we can ever express. Not only do they want to pray more, but they also find more things to pray about. God cares for the big things in our lives, and the things that we often forget to bring to Him because they seem so small. He cares about them all and wants to help you with all things.

The more you pray, you will discover that God will enlarge your heart and help you see more things to pray about. You will begin to see some of the things He sees – and how you can have a part in their solution – through prayer. He wants you to partner with Him in achieving His work in lives and missions through the means of prayer – and sometimes putting feet to your prayers.

II Thessalonians 3:1 “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.”

King Jehoshaphat could have lived any way he wanted and done whatever he wanted. Instead, he chose to follow the Lord. The result was that the Lord “was with” him and blessed him.

These words do not mean that God was present – as He is present everywhere. It means that it was evident that God was doing things in his life and works. It was not mere “luck,” but it could only be explained by saying that “God was with him.”

The presence of God – because He is pleased with that person – is evident to others. Unfortunately, there are many professing believers who do not have such blessing in their lives – and no one thinks of God when they are around. The phrase “the Lord was with” a certain person is used 18 times in the Bible – and it always meant a noticeable difference.

One place where it is especially noticeable is in Acts 11:21, where the Bible says: “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” This phrase is only used two times in the New Testament; the other place is speaking of Christ, in Luke 1:66.

Two conditions are given in the text verses above, which speaks of Jehoshaphat. First, he walked like David – a man in love with God and His Word. Second, he did what God wanted him to do – “walked in his commandments” – he obeyed the Word.

If you want the blessing of having God with you so that God uses you in His service, obey the Word as completely as possible. Remember that God promises: “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8).