Develop A Life Of Prayer

Yes, Choose A Life Of Prayer

Most Christians understand the importance of a strong life of prayer. Yet we are so busy with our daily life activities that prayer is not on the priority list. For some, prayer only comes as an after thought. Still for a lot others, prayer is only remembered when something dire happens. Yet still for others it\’s an annual ritual.

So, how important is this prayer thing anyway? Take it from me, it\’s  very important. It will transform your life. There\’s power in prayer. I know this first hand. I have been through situations I never thought I could pull out of, but for prayer. I have encountered circumstances over which when I look back, I can only see the hand of God. Is prayer important? You bet it is! Do you need a disciplined life of prayer? one hundred percent yes!

When you pull through very difficult and challenging situations, you get to appreciate the importance of prayer. And I tell you the truth you will have no choice but be compelled to develop a life of prayer. You need to build a strong personal life of prayer. Yes you do, my friend.

Please understand prayer is a power tool you need to develop in your life. As I have mentioned before we all know about praying but few of us believers know about the power in a life of prayer. You need to know about prayer which changes lives. Have you experienced such kind of prayer? Yes? Then you are on track, just choose to develop a lifestyle of prayer and you will reap more benefits. No? Then it\’s time for you to consider and re-arrange your life\’s priorities and place a life of prayer  at the top of your daily priorities.

But Why Develop A Prayer Life Anyway?

Prayer helps us to get intimate with father God. This is an intimacy like you would see between a father and his child. The same is true spiritually. God desires for us to develop an intimate relationship with Him. He loves it if we can determine to get very close to Him. Remember that He does not force Himself on us but He loves it when we willingly choose to move close to Him.

You don\’t have to wait until you are in a dire situation for you to develop a strong personal prayer life. You can start at any point in your life. The important thing is that you purpose to do this willingly and commit to it.

Why do you need to develop a prayer life? Because the scriptures encourage us to pray without ceasing.

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God\’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this. Don\’t put out the Spirit\’s fire.

(1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 GW)

Do you see that? Always be joyful. Pray without ceasing! That\’s the life of a christian.

In addition to getting intimate with father God, prayer humbles and transforms our lives. Understand too that prayer is dialogue between you and God. And as you are praying you are reaching out to God\’s heart and together you are intimately conversing. As you reach out to father\’s heart, you are baring your heart to the one you love.

By the way prayer is not just about making requests for your wants or needs to be met. It\’s also about you just loving on God. Praising and worshiping God in love and reverence. When your prayer touches God\’s heart, you engulfs you with his glory in love and anything you have asked he grants you. Sometimes even that which you didn\’t ask for he gives to you.

How Do You Get To A Devoted Life Of Prayer?

You have to commit to doing this and do it from a willing position. You must have a plan. Like everything else that you schedule, prayer must be scheduled. Set a time when you will purpose to speak to father God. I find rising up very early in the morning or just before retiring to bed to be some of the best times to pray.

If you are going to be praying alone find some quiet space. If you cannot have space to yourself, improvise. You may have to do it when most people in the home are asleep or they are out. If you can avoid it don\’t disturb other people in the vicinity in the name of prayer.  You can pray quietly. God is not way out there above the clouds for you to shout to be heard!

Here are some tips to guide you:

1. Understand that you are conversing with your father and He knows you are there to speak with Him. So set your mind on God and focus on Him as you begin to speak. I know this can be hard when you are just starting out but in time you will get the hang of this and you will soon begin to enjoy your conversation with Abba father.
2. Develop a habit of reading your Bible daily. This may be a full chapter in one sitting or just several verses of scripture. Again as you grow into this, over time you will find your own rhythm.  Understand that you will use the word that you are reading to pray to God. You will be speaking His Word back to Him in prayer.
3. Focus more on the word. This will grow your faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing His word. As you take in the word be alert to the fact that God will use the same word to speak to you and give you answers for whatever it is that you may need His response.

What Will You Be Praying About?

There are many things to pray for and about. Here are some of them:

1. Pray for wisdom. Remember the story of Solomon? After his great sacrifice and worship, the Lord came to him and asked him to ask for anything he desired (my words). In response Solomon asked for wisdom so that he could rule effectively over his nation. And the Lord gave him what he asked for and all the riches he would need for his life. So yeah, start by praying for wisdom.  This is what will be in your wisdom prayer pack:
   • Pray and ask for God\’s will and love for your life,
   • Pray for increased knowledge about God and his person,
   • Pray for boldness and confidence every time you get into his presence. His word assures us of this by the way.
2. Don\’t always be in \’asking for things\’ mode when you are before the father.  Learn to praise and worship him. Thank God for his wisdom, his goodness, his grace and many other wonderful things around you.
3. As you faithfully continue in your prayer life, you will notice that you get led  to pray for other people and situations that affect them. In other words it ceases to be just about you. Because you have developed a consistency in you prayer life, the Lord begins to direct your prayers in other areas.  The scripture says he prays with us and through us by his Holy Spirit. So be alert.
4. Prayer time is also time for confession and forgiveness. Time to deal with all these vices. Just be alert to this. It is the passage to humility coming out of the love now developing and growing in you.

I could go on and on.  Prayer is a huge subject with many facets.

I pray you have picked up something from this post. I encourage you to research more on prayer. There\’s power in purposed prayer life. But hey, let\’s keep this part of the conversation going. You have something to say? Say it in the comments box below. I will be appreciative of your feedback. We can also connect here.

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