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Today I am linking up with Katie over at Hot Tea and the Empty Seat. She has started a link-up called "Growing in and with God".
This week's "Growing in God" is about prayer and things that help us in our prayer time with God.
Prayer is something that is essential to the Christian's life. If we don't spend time talking to God, we forfeit our "all-access pass" to an intimate relationship with our Creator.
God has laid out very plainly that we should be in constant prayer:
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15)
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling. (1 Timothy 2:8)
I could easily find 100 more verses talking about praying and calling out to God, but I figured these three would be enough ;)
Prayer is so important, but I know I neglect it often, only praying about my wants or worries. I leave out praying for others and selfishly only think of myself. I also fail to pray that God's will be done. I ignore the fact that his way is best and in all my asking, I avoid acknowledging that no matter how God answers my prayers, his way is still perfect (and mine is not).
One thing that really helps me when I pray is typing out my prayers. Before I read any scripture or devotional, or write a blog post of my own, I sit down and start praying. I type it out because it helps me focus. I don't go off on rabbit trails or day-dream nearly as often. It also makes me more aware of what and how I am praying. Sometimes I look back and realize that I haven't thanked God for anything as I've prayed that day, which helps me refocus and start talking to God as I should.
I also like to follow the Lord's prayer (at least as a general rule) to know the best way and best things to pray. We can, of course, come to God about anything, but Jesus did teach us how to pray and I think that if Jesus, who is also God in human form, had a "best way" to pray, it's probably a good idea to follow it.
Is there anything that you do that helps you focus during your prayer time? Do you have a favorite spot to pray or a journal that helps you focus? Comment below.
Prayer is so important, but I know I neglect it often, only praying about my wants or worries. I leave out praying for others and selfishly only think of myself. I also fail to pray that God's will be done. I ignore the fact that his way is best and in all my asking, I avoid acknowledging that no matter how God answers my prayers, his way is still perfect (and mine is not).
One thing that really helps me when I pray is typing out my prayers. Before I read any scripture or devotional, or write a blog post of my own, I sit down and start praying. I type it out because it helps me focus. I don't go off on rabbit trails or day-dream nearly as often. It also makes me more aware of what and how I am praying. Sometimes I look back and realize that I haven't thanked God for anything as I've prayed that day, which helps me refocus and start talking to God as I should.
I also like to follow the Lord's prayer (at least as a general rule) to know the best way and best things to pray. We can, of course, come to God about anything, but Jesus did teach us how to pray and I think that if Jesus, who is also God in human form, had a "best way" to pray, it's probably a good idea to follow it.
Is there anything that you do that helps you focus during your prayer time? Do you have a favorite spot to pray or a journal that helps you focus? Comment below.
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