Harold Burchett’s Bringing Christ Back ends a chapter entitled Ruling With Christ in Prayer with these words:

In prayer we practice God’s presence and share in extending his providence.

This relationship, like a good marriage, needs both daily investment and also the fostering of special times in extra attention–like arising at night to express love and worship, or setting aside selected hours or periods of time devoted to fasting and prayer.

Each time Scripture is read, ask, “How does this passage impact my praying?” or “What is God saying here that I should turn into prayer?”

Finally, prayer is simply the way of living by faith, walking in the Spirit, and getting on with God.

May prayer inform our parenting and our life. May we foster daily investment and times of special attention. May we turn our Scripture reading into an offering of prayer.