Have you ever heard Take 6 sing “Come Unto Me”? It is one of the gospel songs that buried itself deep in my soul as a child, a constant reminder that I have the choice of access to help for any and every challenge that life throws at me. This isn’t a head logic truth, it’s a knowing that is tethered to my soul.

See, I was taught from a very early age how to pray. I can’t imagine how I would navigate this world without access to my prayer life. There would be no room for hope in my day to day life. Whenever I hear about a brother or sister who has taken their life or the life of another I wonder,

“How did they lose hope?”

I wonder if they were taught to pray effectively when life met them with heavy burdens. Effective prayer is not a passive power, it is active and requires practice and discipline.

Do you have a personal prayer regimen?

Do you actively practice prayer?

Do you have a prayer partner?

If you answered no to any of those last three questions and would like for that to change don’t wait to reach out for help.Prayer changes lives.

Marta C. Youngblood is a writer, education and social entrepreneur based in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For more information on her current projects visit https://about.me/MCyoungblood.