Pray Network Forum

Phil,
Is it a good idea to analyze or study one's own prayers to become more effective?
I have gotten different feedback from my Christian friends most of them negative.
From your point of view, Is this a worthy endeavor?"

It seems To Me . . .

• Evaluating your own prayers in order to congratulate yourself ("I give myself a 9 out of 10!") or to review and edit them so they sound eloquent or scholarly - not a good idea. We do not trust in our prayers. I disagree with the statement: "prayer works." Instead we trust in the God to whom we pray. Many religions pray but to whom are they praying? Many pagans "pray" longer or "better" than I do. Prayer doesn't work; the one to whom we pray, works. When we pray. Its a partnership.
• I do believe it is valuable to analyze your prayer habits and patterns as long as you use Scripture as the model. Study your praying to discern if you are praying correct theology. Analyze your prayers by comparing them to Daniel (chapter 9) and Paul (almost each of his epistles); certainly Jesus' teachings about prayer.
• For those who disagree, why is it a good idea to reimagine our worship ("sing a new song") or think differently about our evangelism methods but not a good idea when it comes to praying? The quest to pray like Jesus is a lifelong journey toward maturity that would greatly benefit from a review that refreshes our praying. Maybe the one who benefits most is God, as our silly repetitions or simplistic requests fade into a conversation that is birthed in the heart of our Father in heaven, discerned through the leading of the Holy Spirit, and empowered by the name of Jesus.
• One more comment. Maybe the question should be: "Is it wise to have others in the Body of Christ help me analyze my praying?" Corporate praying is a test of our personal prayer life (which, sadly, is why so many long-term Christians are silent in group prayer). If you are in a group with believers who truly trust in God, express their love for Jesus and are yielded to the Holy Spirit, then ask them "How can I improve my prayer life? What are my strengths? (in other words, what spiritual gifts flow out through your prayers; what fruit of the Spirit is most evident when you are praying?) What are my weaker habits? (you repeat "_____ _____" twenty times in every prayer)
• Start here:
  • Ask - the Lord to teach you to pray more fervently and effectively (James 5:16)
  • Seek - be still and listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit
  • Knock - when you are clear as to his leading, follow into scripture or a study guide or a conversation with someone who can mentor you in prayer

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• "Be still and know that I am God." I need to get my attention off the bothersome habits of others onto the amazing beauties and stunning glories of our great God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Maybe boring is an opportunity to give God the praise I've been too busy to offer throughout the day.
• Pray for each person as they pray. Ask God to inspire their praying by giving them a deeper hunger and thirst for Spirit-led, worship-fed, corporate-bred praying. It is easy to judge; more difficult to bless.
• Read scriptures. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to a passage related to the prayer focus or simply a passage that you can pray back to the Father as you silently read it. "Father, we seem stuck again on rehearsing our list but I want to pray from Your Word and declare Your intention for us to _____."
• Write a prayer. So, if you've already prayed several times or the focus is stuck in a myopic groove, then write a better prayer. The written prayer of a no-longer-judging person is powerful and effective. Read it silently or alound.
• Prayerwalk. Everyone will think you are going to the rest room so get up and get out. Take a prayerwalk to your child's Sunday school room or to the front door of the church facility and ask God to send the believers out and to bring the lost and lonely in. Or, if all else fails, or simply walk out of the room and take a break to get your mind off the boring prayer meeting for awhile.
• Cover your pastor. Spend time thanking God for your pastor and other leaders. Intercede for their needs; body, soul (mind-heart-will) and spirit. Include their family. Bless them with an increasing vision for a hunger and thirsty for prayer ministry.
• Meditate on a name of Jesus. "Holy Spirit, Your role is to reflect Christ to us; remind me of His greatness and glory." Then as He does, give thanks for this amazing-grace Savior and invite Him to be the center of your lifestyle and the first love of the entire congregation.
• Add "so that" to the end of someone's prayer. Turn a reactive prayer ("Lord, our sister is sick, please heal her") into a proactive prayer (..."Yes Lord, heal our sister so that she can return to her fifth grade Sunday school class and disciple those boys into authentic followers of Christ.").
• Inject a scripture rather than a prayer. As the Spirit leads you to a scripture verse or passage, read it aloud as your prayer, maybe changing pronouns to personalize the word of God into your petition or praise.
• Start a song everyone knows. Sing a chorus or hymn with lyrics directed toward God or relevant to the focus of previous prayers.
• Share a Holy Spirit thought. (Speaking to the group) "As I listen to our prayers and mediate on the scriptures, it seems to me the Lord might want us to go back to our earlier burden about the young people in our community. Let's pray for God to raise up leaders they will respect who can point them to Christ on their campus."
• Cry out . . . Kneel . . . Lay prostrate on the floor . . . Raise holy hands. Use sound or posture to reveal the depth of your burden or joy.