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The Practices of Prayer |
By Lance Witt
Let’s now begin to discuss some habits and practices that can help you begin to build a healthy prayer life.
- Be real
God is most interested in your heart when you pray. He cares much more about the attitude of your heart than the words you say. Make sure that wherever you are when you pray, that your prayers are sincere and from the heart.
Jesus often blasted the Pharisees in the New Testament and much of the reason was their hypocrisy. Jesus warned us “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.” Matthew 6:5 (NIV)
Jesus also warns us against meaningless repetition (Matthew 6:7). Repetitive phrases and prayers soon make our prayers mechanical and lacking heart. - Set aside a regular time and place
If prayer is going to be a vital part of your Christian journey, then you need to plan for it. Set aside a place and time where you can meet with God. Jesus encouraged us “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” Matthew 6:6
Consider your prayer time as you would any other appointment. Know that God will always be there to keep his appointment with you.
Jesus tells us to go into our closet for a couple of reasons. One, it removes any temptation from us praying to impress others. Second, it helps us deal with distractions and noises. The best way to fight distractions is to avoid them.
Find a place that you can look forward to going to each day. Perhaps you can find a quiet spot in your den before anyone else in the family is up or perhaps you have a special chair on the patio that will work for you.
If you are just getting started with the habit of prayer, you might just set aside 10 minutes 3-4 times a week to get started. - Have your prayer time at a time during the day when you are mentally and spiritually fresh.
I would encourage you not to have your prayer time in bed first thing in the morning. You want to be fully awake for this important appointment.
You know when you are at your best. Try to give God time during the day when you are at your best.
- Talk to God as you would a friend
For some reason, some people believe you need to learn a religious jargon in order to be heard by God in prayer. Nothing could be further from the truth. I love listening to people who pray as if God is sitting right in the room with them (and He is).
God knows you better than you know yourself. Use everyday language and don’t be afraid to talk with him about anything. It is a wonderful thing that what matters to you matters to God. - Take time to allow God to speak to you
In the play The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, Lily Tomlin has a classic line. She says “Why is that when we speak to God we are said to be praying, but when God speaks to us we are said to be schizophrenic?” Why should God’s end of the line be equipped with a receiver but with no mouthpiece?
Now, it is unlikely that you will hear an audible voice from heaven. But if you will take time to reflect and meditate during your prayer time you will find that God will softly give you promptings and leadings and insights and encouragement. - Pray in God’s will and in Jesus’ name
As we pray there ought always to be a sense of submitting to God’s will over ours. He is perfect and all knowing and knows what is best. There will be times when it is best for God’s answer to our prayer to be no. We may not always understand his answers but we must trust him that he knows what is best.
Also, we are encouraged in Scripture to pray in Jesus’ name. This does not mean that by tacking the name of Jesus onto our prayer, that we are guaranteed the answer we want. Rather, praying in Jesus name means that we pray for what Jesus would pray for. We make sure our prayers align with his character and purposes in the world. - Keep a prayer journal
One of the most exciting ways to build your faith is to keep a journal of people and things you are praying for and then to see how God answers your prayers. It is also a regular reminder of those requests that you are committed to praying for.
If you have trouble concentrating, sometimes you will find it helpful to write out your prayers. These can also serve as a treasured memorial to God’s activity in your life that you can go back to again and again. - Read great books on prayer
“He who walks with the wise grows wise” Proverbs 13:20 (NIV) - Apply the Nike principle
Just do it—if you’ve ever tried to learn a foreign language you know that you learn it best when you actually have to speak it. The same is true with prayer. Begin today to cultivate a life of prayer. - Prayer & Fasting Guide (word document)
- Prayer & Fasting Guide (pdf file, requires Adobe Reader)
- Prayer Study Guide (word document)
- Prayer Study Guide (pdf file, requires Adobe Reader)