A quick reminder: This month, our devotions are taken from Stephen’s book “Growing in Prayer”, published by Matthias Media. If you don’t have the book, you might like to consider buying it to support the ministry of Matthias Media – Stephen doesn’t get any royalties, but he can get you a good price if you let him know you’d like one. Also, please don’t share these devotions with anyone outside St Barnabas – Matthias Media are letting us do this as a special favour.Over the next 6 devotions, our goal is to work on developing the habit and discipline of a full and regular prayer life. An important part of this is learning to begin the day with a focused and thoughtful time with God. However, the habit of prayer is not just about doing a “quiet time” each morning (or each evening). Paul says:Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thess 5:16-18)Paul urges us to talk to God in all kinds of different ways: rejoicing, asking, giving thanks. But he doesn’t have in mind a structured prayer time. This is about seeking and striving to develop a life of constant communion with him. God’s will for you is to live prayerfully.Living prayerfully does not mean saying long, complicated prayers as you buy your groceries. There are many prayers of just a few words in Scripture: “Lord, help me!” (Matt 15:25), “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13) and “Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev 22:20).Take some time now to memorize 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (which is printed above).To finish today, spend a few moments thinking about the day ahead in the light of the verse you just memorized. Think about what your day will hold today (or tomorrow) – the people you will be with, the situations you will encounter. With each one, imagine yourself rejoicing before God, or asking God for what you or another person might need, or thanking God. Imagine a day of living prayerfully.During the day, keep saying 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to yourself, and look for things to rejoice about, ask for, and thank God for. You might also like to choose a favourite Christian song to sing to yourself during the day.Verses for further prayer: Psalm 34:1-3