Charles Hodge, a nineteenth-century Princeton theologian, gave us this tender example of a continuous prayer.

In my childhood I came nearer to “Pray without ceasing” than in any other period in my life.  As far back as I can remember, I had a habit of thanking God for everything I received, and asking him for everything I wanted.  If I lost a book, or any of my playthings, I prayed that I  might find it.  I prayed walking along the streets, in school and out of school, whether playing or studying.  I did not do this in obedience to any prescribed rule.  It seemed natural.  I thought of God as an everywhere-present Being, full of kindness and love, who would not be offended if children talked to him.  I knew who cared for sparrows.  I was as cheerful and happy as the birds and acted as they did.
from A Praying Life, by Paul Miller, 72.

Philippians 4:6–7 (ESV)
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

This prayer is from a wonderful book of prayers called  “The Valley of Vision”.  I saw it on a church blog and thought you might find it helpful as you ask the Lord to work mightily through you this year.

O Lord, Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed in Thy presence, in Thy service, to Thy glory.  Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides, sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour, that I may not be one moment apart from Thee, but may rely on Thy Spirit to supply every thought, speak in every word, direct every step, prosper every work, build up every mote of faith, and give me a desire to show forth Thy praise; testify Thy love, advance Thy kingdom.  I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year, with Thee, O Father as my harbour, Thee, O Son, at my helm, Thee O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.  Guide me to heaven with my loins girt, my lamp burning, my ear open to Thy calls, my heart full of love, my soul free.  Give me Thy grace to sanctify me, Thy comforts to cheer, Thy wisdom to teach, Thy right hand to guide, Thy counsel to instruct, Thy law to judge, Thy presence to stabilize.  May Thy fear by my awe, Thy triumphs my joy.

At CCC, we have recently been studying the book of Ephesians and more specifically this past week we studied the second prayer in this book (3:14-21). I was talking with one of my good friends last night, who recently professed faith in Christ, and he said when he read this prayer it brought tears to his eyes. He so longed to pray more consistently and more faithfully. He was so amazed by the beauty of this prayer. In this prayer Paul asks God to strengthen his people with power in the inner man so that Christ might be at home in their hearts. He also prays that they would be able to comprehend the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge. He closes with praise to God because he can and will do more than we could ask or imagine so that he might be glorified in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever.
Prayer is a discipline that is often neglected in my life because I think I am too busy to pray. It is an act of unbelief and it reveals that I trust in myself rather than in our great God. So often, I feel like I accomplish more when I study the bible than when I pray. Paul reveals a two-fold ministry of teaching and prayer. He understood that we do not just need teaching but we need God’s power to enable us to appropriate what is taught. I hope this week that we will all spend time studying and sharing what we have learned, but also that we would ask our father to empower us to live it out by faith. We must pray the wonderful truths into the lives of one another for it is the Spirit of God who empowers and strengthens us to accomplish his will.