How is your prayer life, or habit?

[Danus]

A question often asked in churches, but I rarely see it here. How is your prayer life?

Mine? Not so good lately.

One of the best things I think we can do to draw closer to God is pray. I find myself in cycles. I will develop a strong prayer life, then slip away from it, then come back .....I feel most spiritually strong when I come back to payer.

Sometimes my prayer life becomes routine and stale; almost like a rehearsed speech.....Oh Lord, yadda, yadda, yadda, In Jesus name I pray Aman! That's no prayer life at all.

I teach and encourage my children to pray, but when I'm out of prayer with God, I often drop the ball with my kids as well.

I like a quiet place when I pray, but I can and will pray anywhere.

When I pray I address God first, but then I recount to God what I'm feeling. I tell him I'm troubled, or angry, or sad or whatever. I tell him my understandings of my own sins and I ask for his guidance. I tell him of the simplest of things to the most complex.

One of the things I don't do well is pray for others. I need to work on that.

I remember the first time I was called to pray, or lead a prayer for a group. :eeeekkk.....anyone ever have that awkward moment? You know, your standing around with a church group, or whatever and your leader says; "Let's pray", and you'er sure he or she is going to wrap this thing up, then in half a second you hear; "Danus would you lead us in prayer please". :bigfrown...I hate that! I'm not prepared. Where are my notes? I need my telaprompter! I don't think I'm very good at it, but I've been told I am. That makes me feel good. I guess.

I was once in a small group lead by an enduring couple who would open the group with a prayer that lasted 10 to 20 minutes. I'm not kidding. They would start with a moment of silence for about 4 or 5 minutes, then start the prayer and invite anyone to add to it. It was torture. The prayer became a long laundry list of request.

Sometimes at night when I pray I fall asleep before I'm done.

Praying in the shower is an efficient use of time. You can also brush your teeth and shave while showering. Knocks 15-20 minutes off. ;)

Morning is the best time to pray, but after coffee.

Work is a good time to pray.

How is your prayer life?

 

[Mike]

Danus, I go thru the same ruts. I'm in one now, and I hate it. I don't know how I expect to feel His Strength if I'm not plugged into Him.

I get up in the morning and hurriedly get dressed and out the door. For me, the morning is the best time, but I'm always on the run. I need to re-read a good book on my shelf. I also suggest that this book be on everyone's shelf; better yet, off the shelf and in their hands! :yes It's called "Too Busy NOT to Pray". It doesn't sound like a busy schedule is your particular problem, but I still believe it would hit home.

www.amazon.com/Too-Busy-Not-Pray-Reflection/dp/0830819711

 

[reba]

Acknowledging the the extreme circumstances the recorded prayer life of Jesus was not constant.

We need a strong prayer life but we are human and the ups and downs of life set in...I tend to 'leave God out' in the middle Easy for me to give thanks in the highs and reach for comfort in the lows..

My extended family had a mountain man of prayer Daddy. He died in 96 looking back one can see the sad happenings as a result of his no longer been 'here' for prayer for us. As un PC as this sounds i do wish a MAN had picked up the mantle..

The early morning was Dad's prayer time for us. When this verse clicked for him it was his daily ritual.

Dad would literally be up before dawn out side walking around hands raised praying that we not faint for hunger of the Word... Men your roll of leadership is extremely important.

Lam 2:19 Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord: lift up thy hands toward him for the life of thy young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.

 

[Adullam]

I am a "pray-througher". I, at times pray through until I get a blessing from God. At least that has been my experience. Only laziness or tiredness causes me to not have enough in me to go all out. Lately, although I feel inspired to pray harder than what my routine limits me to...I feel there is a wall that stops my prayers from getting through. I am only answered through the bible. But there is no spiritual blessing.

So I am considering re-doubling my efforts...it takes getting tired of being tired.....and pushing.

I call it...having enough water in the toilet to make a good flush of it. (Sorry if that sounds crude ;))