A Beginning Point for Prayer

You may be beginning to pray or you may be beginning again. Good for you. What should you do as you seek to deepen your prayer life?

Let’s remember no one on earth has a precise formula for prayer. Prayer is so much more than a formula or a recitation. It is coming into the presence of the Holy God. It is seeking Him with all your heart. Or, as Hannah the mother of Samuel said, it is pouring out your soul to the Lord. She also described how she prayed out of great anguish and grief (1 Samuel 1:15-16).

Our God hears when we pour out our souls or pray out of our anguish.

So, what can we do to make our prayer time more meaningful?

First, set a special time and place for prayer. Doing this helps you to remember to pray. It helps you do what you want to do in prayer. I find that a set time and place helps me to focus and not miss what I want to do.

Second, add adoration and praise to your prayer time. Most of the prayers of the Bible begin with adoration. For example, when Daniel prayed, he began by addressing his prayer to “the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments” (Daniel 9:4).

I like to begin my prayers by praying Psalm 8, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is thy name in all the earth!”

Third, praise God for His goodness. You will find this kind of prayer throughout the Psalms.

Fourth, ask God to make Himself known to you. Several times we are told to seek God with all our hearts. Tell Him this what you want to do.

Finally, ask God to teach you His ways. He wants to guide you through life. Ask God to show you who He is and what He does.

Many other actions accompany prayer that is pleasing to God. We certainly need to confess our sin and selfishness. We also need to pray for others.

Don’t be afraid to get started even if you are unsure.

Remember the wonderful promise of God: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

 

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