Practical Steps to Strengthen Your Prayer Life

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1 ESV).

Prayer is a discipline that needs to be learned and practiced. Sometimes we either don’t know or forget how to pray. Our reading shows us that even the disciples had to ask Jesus how to pray. They saw something in the way he prayed so fervently and intimately to his Father that made them long to do the same. So, here are some reminders to help become more proficient in your prayer. They are simple, but essential. 1. First, set prayer apart. The more we pray, the more we want to pray. To do this, you need to build it into the rhythm of your day. Prayer is a practice that requires discipline and perseverance, and we should own the cost. 2. Second, learn to withdraw. Pull away from distractions and find a way to separate yourself so you can be and feel “shut in with God.” Find solitude, and pray. 3. Third, have a habitual posture of prayer. Do what you need to help you focus on what it is that you’re doing. Kneel, stand, close your eyes, or look to the heavens. When your body is focused, it’s often easier for your soul to follow. If able, pray out loud. I’ve found that just softly whispering during my private prayer time is quiet enough that it doesn’t inhibit the flow of my praying, but loud enough that it keeps my mind from wandering. 4. Fourth, pray Scripture. This is a great way to start. The beautiful promises of God create joy and hope. 5. Fifth, pray fervently. Praying should be active. When it is we can truly become a different person. Answers to prayer are a blessing, but prayer alone is meant to be a blessing. Sometimes it feels like the groans of parched lips in the desert, and we should still persevere because prayer is not just the fruit of spiritual life, but the means of attaining it. 6. Sixth, pray specifically. Generalities can kill your prayer life. Of course you can be general in your prayer at times. Just don’t allow that to keep you from praising God’s specific attributes, confessing specific sins, or thanking him and asking him for specific things. Bold and expectant faith coupled with humble submission is a powerful thing. 7. Seventh, pray for and with others. Prayer is meant to pull together the community of faith. After all, we are family, and we should bear each other’s burdens in prayer. We become invested in each other’s struggles and triumphs. We start to care more about the people we pray for and less about ourselves. Take these steps to vistas you never knew could exist! You won’t be disappointed!