A life of prayer

 It has been said that you should strive not to have a worldly life interrupted by prayer but a life of prayer interrupted by the world. It is becoming more and more challenging to find time to pray. It seems everything in our lives, technology, events, hobbies, and even our jobs are all demanding more and more of our time. This busy and filled lifestyle leaves us less time to focus on our prayer life. Have you ever had a day go by and think I have not once today thought about or spoken to God?

 We see in 1 Samuel 1 that Hannah, in her distress and bitterness, prayed to God because she was not able to have a child. She could have harbored these emotions in her heart and kept them and let them make her bitter, but she didn’t. Hannah went to the Tabernacle before God and prayed. She decided that she needed to take the time to petition and cry out to God to give her what she desired: a son. Who better to help her in her time of need than the creator of all life?

What should you pray about? You should pray about what you need in your life. Jesus told the disciples to pray because their spirit was willing, but their flesh needed help. (Matt 26:41) You should pray about the things that are causing you anxiety. Paul said that they were to be anxious for nothing and instead pray. (Phil 4:6) You should pray about the things that bring you joy. Paul mentioned those at Ephesus in his prayers because he was thankful for them. (Eph 1:15-17) Take everything in your life and set it before God.

Perhaps you have things that are causing you stress and pain. Do you set aside time from your busy day and give those emotions to God? Do you pray about it once and never again?

How do we make sure we live a life of prayer?:

1.     Be intentional with your prayer life.

2.     Set a designated time for yourself alone to pray each day.

3.     Write down your needs, wants, stresses, and joys, and pray for each individually.

4.     Go to God in prayer first before you try anything else.