One of the signs that you belong to Jesus is a strong desire to pray. You want to commune with the one who made you a new person. You want to thank God for your salvation and keep your spirit open to the Spirit’s guidance.
Jesus did not see prayer as an option. He never said, “If you pray….” Instead he said, “When you pray….” We find those words in his instructions about prayer. He warns against praying like hypocrites who pray publicly “to be seen.” Rather, he encourages private prayer:
“And now about prayer. When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who pretend piety by praying publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. Truly, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, all alone and shut the door behind you and pray to your Father secretly, and your Father, who knows your secrets, will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-6, Living Bible).
Private or secret prayer is a personal conversation with God. You share what’s on your heart, but you don’t do all the talking. You listen to God, eager to hear his words of comfort, encouragement, instruction and sometimes his chastisement for your sins.
A friend asked me what he could do to improve his prayer time with the Lord, to prevent it from becoming monotonous or boring. That prompted me to put together a few suggestions that could enrich one’s prayer life:
You need these tools: your Bible, a notebook, a pen and possibly a good devotional guide. Jot down notes of ideas that come to you as you read. Jesus is God’s Word — so let him speak to you through his words.
Keep a prayer list in your Bible — to remind you of the people and needs you want to pray for, and so you can celebrate God’s answers to your prayers.
Feel free to address God by any of his names: Father, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Savior, Lord, Master, etc. Choose one that is comfortable for you. Jesus said, “When you pray, say ‘Our Father….’” For many years, I have begun my prayers with the two words, “Loving Father.” Let the Spirit guide you; He will.
God speaks to us through the holy scriptures so read a passage as you begin your time with God. Invite the Holy Spirit to enlighten your mind and show you insights you have never seen before.
Read the scriptures aloud. Pause now and then and reflect on what you have read. Invite Jesus to speak to you through the scriptures. Read a Psalm, like Psalm 42, and let the words speak to your situation or your need.
Get “into” the scriptures. For example, when you read 1 Corinthians 13, insert your name in various verses in the place of “love”: “Walter is patient; Walter is kind….” You might find yourself praying, “Lord, let it be, please, let it be.”
When you pray for a person in need, whatever the need, visualize Jesus placing his hands on that person. See in your mind Jesus loving that person. See that person smiling and receiving help, hope and healing.
Sing the scriptures as you read. Sing God’s word. The Psalms are songs. Many of our songs are prayers. Sing aloud. Enjoy your voice. Sing: “Not my sister, not my brother but it’s me O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.” Make up your own tune and sing John 14, or Psalm one, or the Beatitudes, or chapter one of Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, or Romans 8, or Revelation 22. Believe God loves to hear you sing. He really does.
Focus on a good word in your prayer time, such as hope, heaven, healing, joy, peace, reconciliation, love, servant or any of the wonderful names of Jesus — Savior, Shepherd, Lord, Lamb of God, King of Kings, etc. Use a resource like Biblegateway.com to find verses with a word of your choice; the word “joy” is found 242 times in the Bible.
After your private time of prayer, go about your daily routine praying. Pray all the time. Pray with people as you have opportunity. If someone asks you to pray for them, pray right then, aloud. Stay so connected to Jesus that praying becomes like breathing.
Your daily prayer time could become the most wonderful hour of your day.
