Caitlin shares a few things she has found very helpful to get into a better prayer routine and enhance her prayer life.
Sometimes prayer is the last thing we think about. We launch into life head first and think about prayer after, but that shouldn’t be the case. I am thankful that through biblical example and through encouragement from others and my own faith that God has worked in me to strengthen my prayer life.
So, here’s a few things I’ve found really helpful to get into a better prayer routine and prayer life:
Make time to immerse yourself in the word:
When you’re in a good routine of reading the word, prayer can become easier. Here we see so many examples of biblical prayerful attitudes to inspire and set an example for us. After spending a few weeks in Daniel, I was encouraged and inspired by his constant prayerful attitude and how God used him in that. As great as Daniel was though, he still had to wait for the Lord to reveal Himself in His timing. Daniel 10 shows that he was in prayer for 3 weeks before an angel came to explain his visions to him, showing that we must wait on the Lord’s timing and trust that He knows the desires of our hearts. “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer.’ Daniel 10:12
Pray about what God is saying to you through what you’re reading:
Before you open the word, ask God to reveal more of Himself through what you are about to read and that it will shape your life to allow you to become more like Christ. Pray while you read, that if there is anything you don’t understand that God will make it clear. Pray after you read, that you will take to heart what has been read and how to apply it to your life.
Make a list of things to pray for:
My mind goes blank when I just start to pray but within 2 minutes I realise the thousands of things that need prayer in my life and in this world. By writing them down you’re able to pray specifically for things, helping you become more intentional with your prayers and helping structure your time.
Pray the bible:
This is something that was discussed at a conference I was at recently and I absolutely loved it. The premise is simple, take a passage of scripture and pray it for example Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honour to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
In prayer this can become “Lord I thank you that you are my shepherd, that you sustain me. Father continue to guide me in your ways, lead me into the stillness of your presence, continue to allow me to pursue you, bringing honour to your name. Protect and guide me as I walk through life in its ups and downs.”
Spend time with prayerful people:
Getting into habits of praying with people is wonderful. It’s a great time to encourage and build each other up and also bring our concerns and hardships to other people, knowing that you’re not alone in whatever you’re going through.
Pray the ‘simple’ prayers:
When things get hard and we struggle to have the ‘right’ words, we pray the simple prayers. “Lord help my unbelief” “Lord I need you” and trust that He knows us and hears us. We remind ourselves of this truth, that the Lord provides new strength. That when we are wholeheartedly wait on the Lord we know that we’re doing things by His strength and not our own.
Ultimately no matter where you are or what you’re going through every day, whether it feels like nothing is happening or you’re being answered quickly, prayer is always worth it.
By Caitlin Cousins.
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