Hi everyone, I'm a christian and my family too. We are so involved in the day to day activities that we have neglected or become powerless in our prayer life. Can you say something to initiate me and my family to this wonderful prayer life. Deep inside I really wanted to pray but I'm not doing it always. we really need help.
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You have a great first start - which is seeing the need to pray, and knowing that prayer is real and powerful.
So many great things shared here, let me add in a few thoughts.
Prayer is something that most people think they don't do enough of, so there is this "feeling guilty" attitude that so many have. But the truth is that we pray more than we realize, we just don't think what we do is pray.
Prayer is not about performance or works. At the basic level prayer is about communication and communion with the Lord. Prayer is not an event that one checks off on a to do list, rather prayer is an extension of our relationship with Jesus. It is not simply being on your knees for 60 minutes in deep intercession or travail. Prayer can be as simple as engaging with Jesus and having fellowship with Him during the day. Jesus taught us about prayer by starting with "our Father" which is recognizing we do have a relationship and we have someone to look to and to help us. You are not alone in this, the Lord is more ready and willing to connect with you and to answer prayers than you can believe. Eph 3:20 speaks right to this, it tells us that He answers our prayers above and beyond what we ask or think. You see, when we connect with God, we join in with the greatest force there is.
I would recommend that you stop looking at what you are not doing, and instead focus on what you are doing - then you are at a place to start growing.
Like anything in life we often have to start simple and then grow. So what is one thing that you hear the Lord calling to you regarding prayer? That would be a good place to start.
Prayer can be as simple as reading a Psalm or a passage of scripture and thanking the Lord for who He is, or what He is saying, or agreeing with what is being said.
Oh! you have shown me a new dimension to prayer. I was blaming myself; but, as you said I'm doing it every time while I'm working, reading and during times of trouble etc.
Thank you Jay.
The way I have grown in how to pray is this. Every time I pray for someone, I ask, "Jesus, teach me to pray so I may pray according to your will and watch things happen." Then I pray as the Holy Spirit leads. I am often amazed at how He prays through me. It is enormously fruitful. I take notes afterwards.
A word of encouragement: Some people have long prayers and have the time to spend hours in prayer. Others who are very busy can also pray, and they can breathe short prayers and send them heavenwards throughout various times in the day {and night}.
God hears all our prayers, and He knows the desires of our hearts. He also honors those who desire to seek Him and pray for others.
One wonderful way to become more alive in your prayer life is to pray Scripture. Find a verse that really speaks to you and use it in a prayer to God, thanking Him or taking Him at His word. Because it is God's word it is according to His will, and it will become more meaningful to you.
I have begun keeping a prayer journal with each page of the journal divided in half vertically. On the left I write prayers of request or concern and on the right I track answers or updates regarding what was prayed for. When I look back over time, it is amazing to see how many of the items I have prayed for have updates and/or answers written by them. It is a great way to see how faithfully God answers prayer and really helps keep you motivated to pray. This would also be a great family exercise so your children could see that way that God answers prayer also.
My earliest remembrance of 'family' is family devotions. My Dad was saved and delivered from alcoholism when I was still a baby. He loved the Lord and was a consistent Christian until he died at the age of 92. My memory is of him sitting in his favorite chair with his Bible open in his lap. The family dog is on the ottoman at his feet. Mom is on the couch next to him with a devotional booklet that also had names of missionaries on their birthdays. My brother is next to her and I'm on the chair across from Dad.
I don't remember anything complicated about those family times. Dad read the Bible, Mom read the devotional book, and we prayed. I do know that family time with God had a tremendous effect on my understanding of who I was and the kind of person I was. I became aware, without really understanding it, that I was part of something much bigger than myself. I was part of this special group of people, but beyond that, I was part of this huge group of people from all over the world that served God.
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So many great things shared here, let me add in a few thoughts.
Prayer is something that most people think they don't do enough of, so there is this "feeling guilty" attitude that so many have. But the truth is that we pray more than we realize, we just don't think what we do is pray.
Prayer is not about performance or works. At the basic level prayer is about communication and communion with the Lord. Prayer is not an event that one checks off on a to do list, rather prayer is an extension of our relationship with Jesus. It is not simply being on your knees for 60 minutes in deep intercession or travail. Prayer can be as simple as engaging with Jesus and having fellowship with Him during the day. Jesus taught us about prayer by starting with "our Father" which is recognizing we do have a relationship and we have someone to look to and to help us. You are not alone in this, the Lord is more ready and willing to connect with you and to answer prayers than you can believe. Eph 3:20 speaks right to this, it tells us that He answers our prayers above and beyond what we ask or think. You see, when we connect with God, we join in with the greatest force there is.
I would recommend that you stop looking at what you are not doing, and instead focus on what you are doing - then you are at a place to start growing.
Like anything in life we often have to start simple and then grow. So what is one thing that you hear the Lord calling to you regarding prayer? That would be a good place to start.
Prayer can be as simple as reading a Psalm or a passage of scripture and thanking the Lord for who He is, or what He is saying, or agreeing with what is being said.
Blessings to you
Jay
Thank you Jay.
orderofsaintpatrick.org
A word of encouragement: Some people have long prayers and have the time to spend hours in prayer. Others who are very busy can also pray, and they can breathe short prayers and send them heavenwards throughout various times in the day {and night}.
God hears all our prayers, and He knows the desires of our hearts. He also honors those who desire to seek Him and pray for others.
Blessings.
One wonderful way to become more alive in your prayer life is to pray Scripture. Find a verse that really speaks to you and use it in a prayer to God, thanking Him or taking Him at His word. Because it is God's word it is according to His will, and it will become more meaningful to you.
I hope this helps!
My earliest remembrance of 'family' is family devotions. My Dad was saved and delivered from alcoholism when I was still a baby. He loved the Lord and was a consistent Christian until he died at the age of 92. My memory is of him sitting in his favorite chair with his Bible open in his lap. The family dog is on the ottoman at his feet. Mom is on the couch next to him with a devotional booklet that also had names of missionaries on their birthdays. My brother is next to her and I'm on the chair across from Dad.
I don't remember anything complicated about those family times. Dad read the Bible, Mom read the devotional book, and we prayed. I do know that family time with God had a tremendous effect on my understanding of who I was and the kind of person I was. I became aware, without really understanding it, that I was part of something much bigger than myself. I was part of this special group of people, but beyond that, I was part of this huge group of people from all over the world that served God.
Hope that helps,
Lowell Snow
www.leadingprayer.com
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