Seven Ways to Improve Your Prayer Life
After I had my conversion experience I searched out a priest to explore the possibility of ordained ministry. One loaf the first questions Fr. Clark asked me was, Do you know how to pray?” My answer was, “I don’t know, but I do.” It was a good place to start yet woefully short on experience and effectiveness. It is good to begin somewhere, and some way. Another priest friend of mine, Mark Pierson likes to tell new believers. “It’s as simple as talking up.” The idea is we can have a personal relationship with God. Prayer is like having a meaningful conversation with Jesus. It can occur any time in any place.
However, as we progress in our faith journey there are ways to make our prayer experience more mature and effective without losing the childlike honesty of our first encounters with Lord.
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Set a Regular Prayer Schedule
Most Christians find life goes better when we begin and end each day with prayer. It can be as simple as Fr. Pearsons advice to have a conversation about what is on your heart and mind about the day to come or the day that is ending. It could include more formal prayers. The Lord’s Prayer and the Serenity prayer come to mind.
Another easy time to pray with regularity is to say Grace at each meal. It is a time to be thankful not only for the food but for the people we are with. It can be extemporaneous or set. For example,
We thank you Lord for the food we are about to eat, the people who prepared it: and keep us mindful of the needs of others.
Some people like to arrive early for church on Sunday to have an extra 15 minutes or more for personal prayer. Perhaps your church has a weekday service you could plan to attend.
Beyond these times that go with the natural rhythm of our days it can be helpful to set aside longer periods for prayer. These will vary with our regular schedules and responsibilities. Perhaps there are one or two times a week
St. Paul teaches us to “pray without ceasing.” We can advance towards this goal better by beginning to pray on a regular schedule. Consistency and routine can be stepping stones to openness to spontaneity and intimacy with the Lord.
2. Create a Dedicated Prayer Space
When establishing a time for longer private prayer it is helpful to add the structure of a dedicated prayer space. This will vary with the spaces you were have available. Years ago our Rectory in Webster Massachusetts had a half finished attic. I was able to turn that space into a home chapel. I decorated it with appropriate pictures, a small altar table with candles and fair linen, a place to kneel, and a comfortable chair.
This is perhaps an extreme example. The point is to set a side a place and make it significant in some way that it becomes a holy place for you. It could be as simple as a small cross on the wall. It should however be a time and a place where you can minimize distractions. This can be established even in busy households when others understand this is a time you do not wish to be interrupted.
Another possibility may be some place other than your home. Perhaps there is library, or even a coffee shop nearby where privacy is respected. There may even be outdoor choices of you live in a place where climate is rarely a problem. The point is to select a time and place that is regularly set aside for a prolonged time of prayer.
3. Use Scripture in Your Prayers
The Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23 are the best known scriptural prayers. I also use Psalm 43:3 daily.
Send out you light and your truth that they may lead me and bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling.
Roman’s 8:28 is also a favorite of many.
All things work together for good for those who trust the Lord.
My late wife Lily was a fan of Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
There are many more passages one could chose to add to your daily prayers. Chose one or more from your daily Bible reading that speak to and for you.
4. Incorporate Different Prayer Forms
The acronym ACTS is a good reminder of the different categories for prayer. A is for adoration. This is taking time to bask in the glory of God’s presence with or without words.
C is for confession. This can be in general categories: thing done and left undone in thought word and deed against God and our neighbors. It is better to be specific and as honest and self aware as possible.
T is for thanksgiving. We have so much for which to be grateful. I was once attending a back woods AME Zion service. The pastor began with a pastoral prayer of thanksgiving. He walked the congregation through everything that had happened in our lives since the moment we awakened. The list is too long to repeat here. Just imagine first opening your eyes and having the strengthen to stand up. Then trough all you did before walking out the door; have a place to live. You get the picture. St. Paul tells us to even thank God in ALL circumstances.
S is for supplication. Unfortunately this is where many people begin and end their prayers. However, that said, it is, indeed, proper, important, and perhaps even necessary, for us to pray for the needs of others and for ourselves.
Jesus tells us that God is our Abba. He is our heavenly Dad who wants the best for us. Moreover, as we pray for others our prayers do make a difference. People are healed. Relationships are reconciled. The course of history is even changed as a result of fervent prayers.
5. Keep a Prayer Journal
Journaling can be very helpful to our prayer lives. Jordon Peterson often explains that writing is thinking. Obviously we think without writing. However, even as I am writing now it makes me more focused. Sometimes I have what seems to me to be an incisive idea. Yet is I wait to write it down it have sunk back into my unconscious.
A journal is a place to recount the day. These recollections remind us of all ACTS of prayer. Plus it gives us a place to return to for evaluating our progress through life and faith.
My late wife Lily had a variation of this in addition to her journal. She kept a large envelope near her prayer space. It was labeled “God’s Business.” When something that worried her beyond her control she would write it down on a note card and toss it in the envelope.
6. Engage in Group Prayer
Belonging to a prater and share group is ani essential part of Christian life. They usually include time for fellowship, perhaps a meal, and perhaps music. St. Augustan said those who sing pray twice.
The key portion is the prayers of the members. There is significant mentoring that happens in these groups. It is the natural result of listening to the prayers of other members of the group. Often members of the group will include laying on hands with people in the group with health issues.
7. Practice Mindfulness, Presence, and what is sometimes called Practicing the presence of Jesus
After settling comfortably in your prayer space take time to attend to breathing. It can be helpful to think I’m breathing g in Jesus and breathing out stress (or worry or anger etc.)
Practicing the presence of Jesus can be done anywhere or any time. One can use active imagination to “see” Jesus there in the room (or wherever).
Conclusion
Prayer is the central behavior for the Christian believer. It is how we connect our lives with Jesus. My Bishop, Charles Jones, stresses the truth of being “in Christ.” Becoming aware of Jesus spiritually present with us always can be the most important experience of faith and prayer.
I pray this essay will help you explore and grow your life of prayer.
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