What is Prayer?

Prayer is simply talking with God. It is the ultimate way for us creatures to stay on track with our Creator. It is an ongoing, humble, honest conversation with God where you speak to him and then listen to God from His Word and then respond by faith in prayer. It's getting involved and actively participating with God's work.

How do you keep focused and going?

The ways you can keep prayer going can be structured or spontaneous. You can use your phone with a verse of the day prompt and pray it back to God throughout the day. Prayer can be woven into daily routines. Be consistent, but also add prayers before sending messages and while conversing with people. Let your personality shape the way you pray so that it is natural for you.

Obstacles will come up.

When things are going well, remember to pray prayers of praise, gratitude, and thanksgiving. Busyness and a feeling of being self-sufficient can get in the way. If you feel a keen awareness, STOP in the busyness and pray no matter how busy you are. Allow yourself naturally occurring spaces of silence that allow your mind to go to prayer. Self-centeredness can get in the way. Ask God what or who you should be in prayer for. Read Psalm 91- where are you abiding? Pause and ask God to conform the desires of your heart to His and then pray.

Encouragement to be more faithful.

If you want to be more faithful in your prayer life, just pray. Don't worry about being perfect. Any conversations we have are often imperfect and it's OK - just start somewhere. Don't be stuck on having a template or what sounds the best - it is not a formula. Be sincere, honest, authentic and consistent. These are bedrocks of prayer. Be in Scripture to know God. Pray God's words back to Him. You have a heavenly Father who is personal and who delights in giving His children good things. He is responsive - ask, seek, knock - He will answer and open doors. Prayer is not a duty. It is a privilege. Pray the way you pray, the way God wired you.

How does Scripture inspire prayer?

Time spent in Scripture does inspire prayer. It is modeled in different ways and situations and gives us clues why prayer is presented. Scripture can also draw you into worship during this time. Prayer and Scripture feed one another. Use verses to frame prayers and then relate this to your life.

Power of prayer

Prayer is powerful. It is our daily bread and our help through this wilderness. It is reverent and can focus us. Prayer is not a performance. It is a conversation with God and He sees the position of our hearts long before he notices the position of our bodies. The power of prayer is real and can be miraculous. God and His Word is our biggest resource - “Lord, teach us to pray.”