As Christians we learn that having a prayer life is essential to our walk with Christ. The bible speaks often of many individuals that prayed, how and what they prayed for. So there are a vast amount of examples to encourage us in this walk to pray to God our Father and Saviour as well as how he answered many of those same prayers. The bible makes it clear in the words spoken by Jesus himself when the disciples asked him how they were to pray. His response was a model prayer found in Matthew.
Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
But even more than that 1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “Pray without ceasing.” This signifies that prayer is important. In my experience, prayer is one of the most intimidating tasks for Christians (mainly new Christians) to do. And at times the enemy, more so our flesh can make it feel like a daunting and unnecessary act. But if it wasn’t such a vital need in our lives, neither of the two I just mentions would come against it so heavily.
Because I see the necessity of essential prayer in my life here are 3 steps I took to create a strategy to help me create a consistent prayer life:
- Intentionally thanking God immediately when I awake in the morning. Whether it’s by alarm clock or not, before I can get my eyes to open from the yet still drowsiness from waking, I tell the Lord thank you. Not for anything specific at that point but just because I have been given a fresh chance to do so. It took some time but with repeated and intentional thought about it I do it without thinking about it. Just as I kiss my husband every morning before I leave for work. It is the way I greet my Heavenly Father and continue to build my relationship with him. I do it because I love him. So yes it absolutely has meaning. Giving thanks to God is still a prayer just as it is still praise.
- I needed a way to receive a word from the Lord during the course of my day where I could reflect on who He is and keep Him at the forefront of my mind. Since my phone is the one thing that I always have with me I took it as an opportunity, with all of the available app resources, to incorporate scripture and encouraging words sent to me throughout the day. Giving me the opportunity to read, reflect and say a prayer. Apps I use are You Version Bible App, Word Alert and Sprinkle of Jesus. From each of those I can get scripture and inspirational encouragement notifications right on my lock screen.
- The third thing I did to help create a prayer life was find a place to pray every morning to start my day. Although I have a prayer room, I found that for me the place where I pray the greatest is in my car on my way to drop my daughter off at school and continuing on my way to work. And I leave home early enough so that even when I arrive at work, I don’t leave my car until my prayer is done. For years my car has been one of the best place I’ve been able to pray, praise and worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.
What are some of the ways you’ve been able to connect with God in prayer in a consistent way?
Woman of God on a mission to spread love most of all, kindness and the truth about the Savior. I thank Him daily for saving and keeping me, bringing me into the knowledge of Him and steadily making intercession for me on behalf of the Father. Every lesson that I give goes to me first. I speak not as though I am different but that I am the same as any other follower of Christ, seeking wisdom and understanding from God and depending on Him fully to provide everything that I need in this life.