Matthew 6:6 MSG: “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
With the constant distractions and stresses of life , it can be discouraging to even want to pray. However our first response when we wake up and go about our days should be prayer. God created us to be in constant communication with him which is why prayer is so important. Here are some tips that have helped me become more intentional about prayer.
1.Set a prayer alarm everyday
Whether it’s to pray in the morning, when you get home from work or in the evening. It’s important to have a reminder to detach from the worries of life and just spend time in God’s presence.
2..Use the Bible app plans ( My favorite bible app plans below)
Psalm 91 God’s Umbrella of Protection, 21-Day devotional by Peggy Joyce Ruth
Letters of Paul: 30 Day Reading Plan
Praying God’s Truth Over My Fears
Hearing From God Each Morning By Joyce Meyer
7 Prayers for Ferocious Warriors By Cora Jakes Coleman
Finding God’s Truth in the Storms of Life -10 Day devotional
God’s Plan For Your Life – 6 Day devotional
3. Have an accountability partner
Accountability is so important, there’s so many times that I either get too “busy” to pray or too distracted and discouraged by what is going on that I don’t want to pray. That’s where an accountability partner comes in to pray with you and for you. Also having accountability partners has challenged me pursue a deeper relationship with God.
4. Turn on worship music to set the atmosphere
There’s a lot of power in the music you listen to believe it or not. Setting the right type of atmosphere will set the tone for honest and intentional quiet time with God.
5.Watch sermons online
Try Me Series by Jerry Flowers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O0f1FWO_hI)
6.Start with 5 minutes a day and each day work your way up
The scripture above says God wants us to come to him simply the way that we are. There’s no rule book to prayer, God simply just wants relationship and communication with his children (us). Start small even if it’s only 5 minutes of day of intentional time spent in prayer and consistently keep increasing that time.
7. When journaling during bible study time use the SOAP approach
–S.O.A.P ( Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer)
Scripture: write down the scripture
Observation: what do you think this scripture is trying to say to you?
Application: How can you apply this scripture to your current situation?
Prayer: talk to God about how this scripture speaks to you and be still enough to hear what God wants to say to you
Most importantly if you fall off don’t stop praying, this is when you should pray even more