Prayer is a blessing, and a tool for us to communicate with God. Prayer is also essential to our spiritual growth, as it activates and increases our faith. It is both an act of worship and a means of interceding for others.
It’s simple to say, but are you really doing it?
How many times have you told someone, I will be praying for you, or you are in my prayers? What does it really mean? Do you stop everything you’re doing and pray for that person? Do you have a devoted prayer time (morning, afternoon, night) that you add their names to? How long do you spend praying for that person or specific situation? Is it a one-time thing?
Or does, I will pray for you simply get diminished to, Oh! That’s something to pray for? Do you simply say I will pray for you because it sounds good and important to say, but in reality, stops there?
You may be a person with a very good prayer life in place. If you are, please allow yourself to partner with someone who doesn’t; look around you and seek those friends that you can bless with your gift. Keep in contact with them, make them accountable every week, (once, twice or even more times a week – even if it’s just for five minutes) but share with them your passion and invite them to be a part of it.
On the other hand, if you’re sitting there thinking that your prayer life could be better, think about what you are putting first and what can be shifted to prioritise prayer instead.
Here are some simple ideas for this season that can help you develop lasting prayer habits into the future:
If you’re someone who’s working from home, and you used to commute to work by car, train, bus, bike etc, consider this: if it took you thirty minutes to get to work every day, then right now what are you doing with that time at home? Can you use that time to pray so that when you resume your “normal routine” you’re still using that time in prayer? (Remember, you can pray in your car / on your bike / on the train or bus).
How many coffee / tea breaks do you take every day? Can you spare one break a day (even if it’s ten minutes) to pray? You can do that at home or anywhere.
When a friend calls you and you agree to pray for them, try to pray with them on the phone straightaway (if possible). If God puts it on your heart to keep praying for them, do it as much as you are led to. You don’t have to wait for a special moment. Remember, you are in a daily, open conversation with God.
If you are cleaning your house, you can invite the Holy Spirit for a chat and pray; pray in the Spirit and let Him fill you with His presence even more.
If you’re wanting to spend more quality time with your family, then have ten minutes with them in prayer. Family prayer time is a good opportunity to let our kids see us praying, so they also start to develop a prayer life from a young age.
Are you tired of the day and you want to sit in front of the tv so you can “rest”? There is nothing more powerful than prayer to give you rest! When you sit in front of the Throne of God, He restores you and you will feel so different. The real question is whether you are ready to go against your flesh and instead go to your prayer room, surrendering to God and allowing Him to be Him who restores you and gives you rest.
Bible Verses
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
