I know that I need to pray more...but

[AllIneedisFaith]

I know very well that the one thing I need to improve in my walk with Christ is praying.
the Lord has told me time and time again, simply- pray everyday.
when I come to Him asking for help, he tells me each time-pray everyday.

I start.

But then it just fades away quickly.
I use a visual tracker and mark off each day that I pray. But that still doesn't help me to keep going.

i find myself excusing myself "oh it's difficult, I'm the only Christian around- there is no one to pray with, or help me stay accountable or I'm really busy."

i know better but but I don't know how to do THE ONE THING GOD ASKS- pray everyday

its that simple- it's my only task- to pray everyday and he'll do the rest.

 

[Depleted]

Our minds run on several layers at once.
-- Part is thinking out either what we're doing, or what we're doing next.
-- Part is remembering, "What did I want to get in the refrigerator?"
-- Part has a soundtrack going on. Either some random song, some random conversation, or some planned conversation.
-- Part is running our involuntary muscles (heart, lung, antibodies) at all times.
-- Part is working our voluntary muscles. (How often do you miss your keys when you reach them? You don't miss them often, because your brain is coordinating hand-eye-feet movement.)
-- Part brings us dreams.
-- And the part we notice the most is the monologue going on in our head. (Who let their dog poop in the middle of the sidewalk? Oh, look at that! What a beautiful flower! Why is my spouse so upset?)

We need God to do his thing so our brains work all the time. Why not have the monologue become a dialogue? A dialogue with the Lord?

Something strange starts happening. It looks kind of like this:
"Thank you, Lord, for letting me see the dog poop before stepping in it."
or conversely,
"Oh, come on, Lord! I needed that on the bottom of my shoe?" (In which case, he either tells us why we needed that on the bottom of our shoe, or gives us the humor in how much better we have to become to do something as simple as walking down the sidewalk without hitting the hazards.)

"Wow! Beautiful flower. Good job!" (And then we take the time to study the Artist's design closer and truly appreciate what he gave us to see at that moment.)

"Lord, I don't know how to react to him when he's like this. Give me the words, or, if not that, give him what he needs right now."

Then instead of a monologue ever circling in our minds, we have God's help sorting out what we should do. And what we should do is always related to honor him, for he is God. Or thanking him for what he gives us. Or receiving what we need to make it. And best of all, it keeps reminding us who is important in all things. The Lord.

At least, that's how I try to remember to pray without ceasing. Haven't got it down perfectly. Haven't even hit "pretty good" yet. But at least I am getting better at remembering all things are to glorify God. Even our minds.

 

[dalconn]

Prayer is simply communing with God, simply speak to God as you would a loved one like your mother or father. You will know when you've got it right because He will begin to speak back to you

 

[AllIneedisFaith]

Our minds run on several layers at once.
-- Part is thinking out either what we're doing, or what we're doing next.
-- Part is remembering, "What did I want to get in the refrigerator?"
-- Part has a soundtrack going on. Either some random song, some random conversation, or some planned conversation.
-- Part is running our involuntary muscles (heart, lung, antibodies) at all times.
-- Part is working our voluntary muscles. (How often do you miss your keys when you reach them? You don't miss them often, because your brain is coordinating hand-eye-feet movement.)
-- Part brings us dreams.
-- And the part we notice the most is the monologue going on in our head. (Who let their dog poop in the middle of the sidewalk? Oh, look at that! What a beautiful flower! Why is my spouse so upset?)

We need God to do his thing so our brains work all the time. Why not have the monologue become a dialogue? A dialogue with the Lord?

Something strange starts happening. It looks kind of like this:
"Thank you, Lord, for letting me see the dog poop before stepping in it."
or conversely,
"Oh, come on, Lord! I needed that on the bottom of my shoe?" (In which case, he either tells us why we needed that on the bottom of our shoe, or gives us the humor in how much better we have to become to do something as simple as walking down the sidewalk without hitting the hazards.)

"Wow! Beautiful flower. Good job!" (And then we take the time to study the Artist's design closer and truly appreciate what he gave us to see at that moment.)

"Lord, I don't know how to react to him when he's like this. Give me the words, or, if not that, give him what he needs right now."

Then instead of a monologue ever circling in our minds, we have God's help sorting out what we should do. And what we should do is always related to honor him, for he is God. Or thanking him for what he gives us. Or receiving what we need to make it. And best of all, it keeps reminding us who is important in all things. The Lord.

At least, that's how I try to remember to pray without ceasing. Haven't got it down perfectly. Haven't even hit "pretty good" yet. But at least I am getting better at remembering all things are to glorify God. Even our minds.

wow, i never thought of it that way
thsnk you you for that suggestion
its a good place to start for me- just speaking to Him in my daily life.
ibmean he's always there, might as well include him

 

[Willie-T]

I missed the part of the Bible that tells us God is going to ask us how many times a day we prayed. I honestly doubt praying the way you describe in the OP has really garnered you many Brownie Points with Him.

 

[Joidevivre]

As you read the bible, talk to God about it. That is praying. Either praise him, ask for something, repent, receive or give him your thoughts about what you just read. Especially, intercede for others while reading.

The Word of God always gets me going. I feel more like I'm in his presence while reading. And if you only did this for a little time each day, it will enrich your prayer life. Remember, God looks at the time you are talking to him more than the time you don't.

 

[Desertsrose]

As you read the bible, talk to God about it. That is praying. Either praise him, ask for something, repent, receive or give him your thoughts about what you just read. Especially, intercede for others while reading. The Word of God always gets me going. I feel more like I'm in his presence while reading. And if you only did this for a little time each day, it will enrich your prayer life. Remember, God looks at the time you are talking to him more than the time you don't.

Hi Joidevivre,


I just finished a bible study with some other women and we were praying the Psalms.


But I decided to not follow a formula like they were teaching and started praying what I'm reading or studying in the bible. It opens up a whole new world for praying for others and myself, for praying for leaders and the lost. It's so wonderful to use God's own words when I pray.


Also, AllIneedisfaith......when my thoughts begin to wander on various things, I allow that to be the subject of my prayers. Sort of like what Lynn was sharing. (Not poop but it could be) It allows the whole day to be a prayer.


When I use to iron hubby's work clothes I would pray for him. Now the clothes go to the Cleaners. But I think of him throughout the day and pray for him. If I'm crocheting or doing a craft for someone I pray for that person.


If I'm outside in my beautiful yard, I'll begin to praise God for His creation. When I weed, I think about the weeds that grow in the garden of my heart and how some weeds are easier to pull up than others. As I'm weeding, I think of God weeding me.


I also need to grow in prayer. And I think the praying of scripture is really a great help.


I heard Nancy Lee Demoss speak on the radio about her struggles with prayer a few months ago. She gave a teaching on praying Jesus' prayer that was really good at Revive Our Hearts. It was very helpful because it helped me to look at God as my Father.


When I wake up in the morning I try to remember to say good morning to the Lord to try to set my day. I try to say every morning that this is the day the Lord has made......I will rejoice and be glad in it. That helps to set my heart on Him and on being joyful throughout the day.


Keep practicing and you'll continue improving. One other thing that might be helpful that helps me. I don't look at prayer as a chore anymore or as a thing I have to do.


It's a relationship with the Lord so I talk to Him. I talk with my friends when I see them or talk to them on the phone. I talk with my husband all the time. I even talk to my dogs!


So when I took the job, chore, ritual off my neck and now see God as Father, Jesus is my Lord and Savior and my best friend, there's a relationship that takes away the ritual, the have to, the seeing it as a chore and it's easier to talk to the Lord now and pray to Him. I focus on the fact that I want to pray.


The scriptures help to know what to pray. I would get bogged down in praying the exact same things, but with scripture, my prayers change as I change my scripture text for each new day.


Here's an example: 1 Peter 1:1-9


Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.


Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.


In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.


I prayed this scripture this week and kept going on to others in 1 Peter 1.


So you can begin to thank the Lord for being chosen by God's foreknowledge. I thank Him where that I've been chosen to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood. I thank Him for His grace and peace. As I'm doing this other ideas might come to mind and I begin to pray those. I use the scripture as a guide and allow the Spirit to lead me and guide me as well.


I thank Him that I've been born to a living hope and not a dead hop. I thank Him for the inheritance that's imperishable and that it's reserved in heaven for me. There's a reservation card somewhere there in heaven for me. There will be a banqueting table with our name on the placard.


I thank Him that through faith His power is protecting me each and every day of my life, but especially for that day and that moment as I wait for the salvation that's to be brought to us at His return.


I do suffer with pain every day so the next part of the verses really help a lot to know that my suffering is not in vain. That there's a purpose in suffering and one of them is the testing of my faith if it's genuine or not. I think Him that my faith is more precious than gold to Him and that's why I must be tested. Faith isn't faith until its tested. It also reminds me here of what Paul said when he received his thorn in the flesh. God's grace is sufficient and I thank Him for His mercy and grace to see me through the day.


So anyway, there's much more to say, but I think that's plenty for you to get an idea of how you can learn to spend some time in prayer with God. The others have already offered so much that's helpful and I'm sure you'll hear from others that will be helpful as well. I love to see body life in action when others share what's helpful for them and offer it to you as a suggestion. It's the one-anothering that so blesses me!


God bless you!!!

 

[AllIneedisFaith]

Thank you all for the supportive and encouraging suggestions

i actually started to implement them
just talkin to the Lord about anything in my day
thanking Him and just overall trying tonconcerse
i also started to just read the Bible on my phone and praying from scripture

this has put me in a fantastic mood already
i long so much to be more connected to Christ


thank you all once again! And also writing such detailed comments

 

[Dan_473]

Lord, thank you for AllIneedisFaith

(that would be a prayer right there! )

 

[Yahweh_is_gracious]

Once I changed how I viewed prayer, it became much easier to do with frequency. I had it in my mind that prayer was supposed to be some specific words, or done in a specific manner.

...blame that on being raised around people from very liturgical denominations

Once I understood that God is always...ALWAYS around and listening, prayer became a conversation. Not in the "God is my drinking buddy" or "Me and Jesus got our own thing going on" way, but in the way where if I need to speak to God, I speak to God. Either out loud or in my head, I just speak to Him. It's still surprising to me how God chooses to answer prayers or questions, but He does if you pay attention.

 

[Desdichado]

Sounds to me like you're doing it as right as a person can expect.

Keep praying and looking to him amid the transient noise.

 

[AllIneedisFaith]

Once I changed how I viewed prayer, it became much easier to do with frequency. I had it in my mind that prayer was supposed to be some specific words, or done in a specific manner.

...blame that on being raised around people from very liturgical denominations

Once I understood that God is always...ALWAYS around and listening, prayer became a conversation. Not in the "God is my drinking buddy" or "Me and Jesus got our own thing going on" way, but in the way where if I need to speak to God, I speak to God. Either out loud or in my head, I just speak to Him. It's still surprising to me how God chooses to answer prayers or questions, but He does if you pay attention.

Yes! I seem to have this idea (and I was speaking to God about this this morning) that my prayers have to be something so specific and powerful and wordy and I get discouraged. But I keep hearing from him that the power is not in me (obviously) but in him and my job is to just pray- pray what I can, how I can, just pray.

rhis is a goal of mine to really better commune with God.

 

[Yahweh_is_gracious]

I had to step away from myself to view my relationship with God in as objective a manner as I could. Being anti-social and unwilling to talk about things with other people, being objective is hard. Some things I thought about though were:

If I say I love God, then how do I show that love? Do I make a point of spending time with God, or is God merely neglected until something goes wrong in my life and I treat Him like a lifeline? Is that what love looks like?

If God knows me and has always known me since before I was born, then why should I ever feel ashamed to speak to God? Is it admitting to Him something that He already knows - is that what bothers me? Am I afraid He will be disappointed in me? Is my love for God as unconditional as His is for me? Do I really think God's love is unconditional or am I thinking about it in human terms - and human love is NOT unconditional.

What would be more meaningful to God to hear from me? Some liturgy based around some silly tradition that has no basis for need, or should it be more of an "Abba, Father, here am I...".