Prayer is the lifeline of our christian relationship. We are commanded by God’s word to make prayer our lifestyle. We must therefore cultivate a continuous attitude of a sustained prayer life. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 is translated in various versions as “pray continually,” “never stop praying,” and “pray constantly” . This doesn’t mean being on your knees 24/7. As the commentary in the search results suggests, it implies a continual, habitual practice—maintaining a prayerful attitude throughout your daily life, a constant awareness of God’s presence and a readiness to communicate with Him .
Also in Ephesians 6:18 there is an expanded idea on the subject of prayer: “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” . This verse emphasizes that prayer should happen in every season of life, using every kind of prayer—from quiet contemplation to desperate petitions. It’s a call to spiritual alertness, staying watchful and persistent in prayer, especially for fellow believers .
What is prayer?
Speaking with your Father on a daily basis is what prayer is all about. Prayer is similar to the way in which we communicate with others who are in our vicinity. We disclose information to them, seek their guidance, and so on. We are unable to see God in a physical form, but He is present at all times; this is the only distinction there is.
It is hardly possible to overlook the importance of prayer in the life of someone who is religious. Praying men could not have a better role model than Jesus. His prayers were effective, and he would spend the entire night in prayer.
How to make prayer a lifestyle
But you might be asking, how can I make my prayer life more effective?
- First and foremost, you are required to choose a period of time that is quite convenient for you and stick to that schedule every single day. You should make an effort to choose a time that is convenient for you since you want to enjoy your prayer life rather than suffer it. This is of great importance.
- Starting and finishing an activity with praise is a practice that can bring about profound change. Make sure that you begin and conclude your prayers with expressions of gratitude and praise. This is the simplest method of praying and sustaining a lifestyle of effective prayer life over time.
- Put spiritual needs above physical ones. Remember that God knows our needs. He knows our situation. We should still pray for these specifically. Pray for your husband’s employment, nephew’s asthma, and child’s school event. Before that, pray for your soul and others. I John 1:9 says to confess and repent of your sins. Then keep things in perspective. You fight spiritual evil in your prayer life (Ephesians 6:12). All our transitory wants are important to God. But our everlasting salvation matters more to him.
- A List can aid your prayer life. I sometimes lose focus when praying. Or worse, it drifts to my daily tasks. Having a list helps. We have discussed not being legalistic in our prayers, yet a tight prayer To Do List might dry up your prayer life. In contrast, the wandering mind…
- Make a list of your prayers, but don’t feel obligated to follow it if the Holy Spirit leads you in worship. This can be done various ways. One option is to list daily prayers and then choose topics for each day of the week. Downloadable bookmarks from a Prayer Journal Workshop are an example.
- Let the Psalms become your own prayer language. When you can’t find the words, read a psalm aloud as your prayer.
- Pray without doubt (James 1:6; 5:15).
- Be honest with yourself and others about your unbelief and ask God for help (Matt. 9:24). Fight unbelief with God’s Word. Paul says in Romans 10:17, “so faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Do not let uncertainty become unbelief. Clear your mind of doubt and plant God’s Word like good incorruptible seeds in your heart, praying for its growth and fruit.
- Join others in prayer. Prayer transforms people, things, and situations. It’s designed to make us outward-focused, thinking about others’ interests as well as our own. You pray at home and in a community. Prayer unites and knits God’s people. Praying for and with others makes us invested in their problems and successes. Prayer holds the church together. We get strength through prayer.
I. Ephesians 1:17-19a
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you spiritual wisdom and revelation in your growing knowledge of him–since the eyes of your heart have been enlightened–so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe.
II. Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that according to the wealth of his glory [the Father] may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
III. Philippians 1:9-11
And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.
How to start a prayer life
- Recognize the need for God’s presence in everyday life to foster communication and reliance through prayer.
- Create a habit of sincere prayer without falling into legalism; a routine is beneficial.
- Establish a morning routine to set a positive tone for the day, starting with time spent with God.
- Incorporate prayer into daily tasks that require minimal mental effort, like folding laundry or cooking.
- Pray regularly with others for accountability and consistency in your prayer life.
- Start praying immediately when a prayer need arises, rather than postponing or only discussing prayer.
- Make a commitment to prayer by scheduling regular times and sticking to them.
- Document answered prayers to recognize God’s influence, which encourages continued prayer.
- Understand that consistent prayer increases the desire to pray more frequently and deeply.
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