Just as every healthy newborn baby cries for his mother when he needs her comfort, help or nourishment, so crying out to the Lord in prayer is something that should come naturally to everyone who has received Jesus and established a personal connection with Him.

Prayer is not just a religious ritual or tradition; it is personal, living communication between you and God! It is the royal telephone that keeps us in touch with Heaven!

Jesus wants to be your closest and best Friend, and He will always hear when you cry to Him for help. He says, "Call unto Me, and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3). He will answer your prayers by supplying your needs for help, healing, guidance, comfort, and spiritual and material needs (Philippians 4:19).

So make a list of people and situations that you would like to pray for, and then take a few minutes each day to ask Jesus for His help and solutions. It doesn't even have to be a set time--you can be praying while traveling to work or preparing a meal. You can even shoot up a quick prayer while walking down the street. Keep at it, and you'll be amazed at the results!

(For more on communicating with God through prayer, read "Prayer Power" from the Get Activated! series.)

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Take Time to Pray
I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day;
I had so much to accomplish
I didn't have time to pray.

Troubles just tumbled about me
And heavier came each task.
Why doesn't God help me, I wondered.
He answered, "You didn't ask."

I tried to come into God's presence.
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
"Why, child, you didn't knock."

I wanted to see joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on gray and bleak,
I called on the Lord for the reason
He said, "You didn't seek."

I woke up early this morning
And paused before entering the day.
I had so much to accomplish
That I had to take time to pray.