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Post by Natalie on May 14, 2020 19:52:04 GMT -6
Part of the reason for starting this thread is to motivate myself to have a better prayer life. I've slacked off in this a bit lately.
First, the struggle of staying focused during prayer.
Things that have helped me in the past -
1. having a list, or actually multiple lists. I would have a list of things to pray for myself, for my husband, for my kids, for my church. These were usually ideas found on the internet. You can find some easily by searching something like "30 days of prayer for my husband (or wife or child)" Print them off and put them in a binder, folder, clipboard, whatever. There was a list of people and their needs and praises, our church prayer list, and attributes of God (to use to give Him praise)
(I also didn't necessarily pray each one every day unless there was a pressing need. I might pray for my husband on Monday, children Tuesday, our church Wed, etc.)
2. writing out my prayers - this was exactly what I needed to stay focused. I started by writing in a notebook, but I found typing out the prayer to work even better.
3. using a template based on how Jesus taught His disciples to pray. I will share more on that later.
Is there anything that has greatly helped you have a more healthy or deeper prayer time?
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Post by Natalie on May 14, 2020 20:01:38 GMT -6
I did want to add that I think talking to God throughout the day is also a great benefit to a healthy prayer life, too. But, I have seen a great benefit to having a time devoted to a longer, more focused prayer time.
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Post by inaweofhim on May 14, 2020 20:56:39 GMT -6
Natalie said:I did want to add that I think talking to God throughout the day is also a great benefit to a healthy prayer life, too. But, I have seen a great benefit to having a time devoted to a longer, more focused prayer time.
One of the most powerful, intimate ways I pray is through HIS Word, esp psalms. I personalize it, speaking to the LORD, and placing my name in the verses.
One particularly powerful and intimate psalm is Ps 23. Ex: LORD, YOU are my shepherd, I shall not want.
And one more: turn it so that the LORD is speaking to me personally. Ex: I, the LORD, am your shepherd,Susan; you shall not want.
It slays me every time! Tears start flowing!
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Post by Natalie on May 15, 2020 8:32:35 GMT -6
Great ideas, inaweofhim, thanks! I have not really tried praying the Scriptures much, but it is something I would like to attempt. I tend to add concepts of the Word to my prayers, or little phrases. Such as the daily prayer I posted today took from Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all peace and joy in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope". I will have to try purposefully picking something (like Ps 23) to pray through. |
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Post by Joecool on May 15, 2020 10:43:59 GMT -6
If I am having an off day I sometime use a timer and just forced myself to focus 5min/3min or whatever. Usually I end prayer longer than the timer. Praying out loud also helps. I like to in my car or on the nature trail. (be warned if you pray out loud on the nature trail you may get some strange looks from passersby)
One point that has been impressed upon me recently. We can't forget when we pray we need also to listen to God. Talk to Him instead of at Him. I been bad about trying to use God as a convenience store instead of actually having a conversation with Him. Conversations are supposed to be 2-ways.
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Post by Natalie on May 16, 2020 9:12:00 GMT -6
Joe - totally. I love to start my prayers with acknowledging God as my Heavenly Father. It's a relationship.
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Post by Natalie on May 16, 2020 9:27:43 GMT -6
I love notebooks. I'll use them when I am studying things more in depth or going through a sermon series online. So, I pulled one out yesterday that I hadn't used very much of, and in the back I had started a list I had forgotten about. During a message I was listening to several months back, the teacher made a side comment about keeping a list of what the Christian life should look like, or something to that effect, based on Scriptures. So, for example, Ephesians 4:25-5:4 has a great list. Put away falsehood, speak truth, be angry and do not sin, don't steal but do honest work, etc. I thought that it would make a good list to pray through. I found that Paul's letters have lots of truths about what our lives should look like (or what to aim for with the help of the Holy Spirit  ). I have found in my life that God definitely wants to work on our character, and those are prayers that He will answer. All though the process is sometimes slow.
Edit - "Living out our calling" was what I have my list titled as
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Post by watchmanjim on May 16, 2020 20:10:56 GMT -6
Natalie, thank you for this thread. It was a big encouragement to read through it just now.
I know I need to be much deeper in my prayer, and pray more.
One thing that it helps me to do is to focus visually (in my mind) on Him. To picture (imperfectly, I know) on the Father on His throne, on Jesus my Lord looking lovingly at me, and the Holy Spirit as the indwelling person of God.
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). 