As followers of Jesus, there is not a way to stress the importance of prayer enough. Communication is vital to every relationship, and prayer is how we talk to God! Think about it like this for a moment: if you are not speaking to someone regularly that you’re in a relationship with, that relationship isn’t going to grow, is it? It’s the same way with our connection to God. The more that we talk to Him and nourish the bond we have together, the more that relationship will bloom into everything it can be.
Here are some helpful steps to developing a vibrant prayer life.
Be Consistent
1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” As they say in everything, consistency is key. Nothing can replace quality time spent with God when trying to enhance your prayer life. Remember, you don’t have to fill all of that time with talking. Quiet time with God is ok too! Actually, it’s very important! Those times of quiet are actually the best moments to hear God’s voice and response to your prayers.
Do whatever works best for you in your effort to spend time with God. If music helps you to focus, turn it on, relax, and focus on God’s presence. Let Him enter your heart and mind. There, in His presence, you will find remarkable growth, both personally and in your relationship with God!
Be Honest and Vulnerable
Psalm 34:17 says, “When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.” While being open and vulnerable can be scary at times, we can feel safe in God’s presence. He loves us more than we can ever know. Not only that, but His love is unconditional. He knows everything you feel, everything you’ve done, and every thought that’s ever gone through your mind. He loves you anyway!
Let that knowledge inspire you to be as honest and vulnerable as you can with the Lord. Lay your heart before Him, blemishes and all. He will help transform you from the inside out, making you more and more like Jesus every day.
Pray Alone and With Others
Acts 2:42 says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the braking of bread and the prayers.” Make time for prayer both alone and with others! The encouragement we receive through fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ is unmatched. They help strengthen us along our spiritual journey and connect with God in brand new ways.
God is a relational being, as expressed through the Holy Trinity, and being created in His image means that we are relational too! God designed us to thrive in community. When we pray with other believers, we honor God’s design, and we grow even closer to Him. Time spent praying with others only serves to broaden and enhance our prayer life in every way.
Prioritize Time with God
James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” If you want to be closer to God, it’s actually quite simple: spend time with Him! As His Word tells us, He will draw near to us when we draw near to Him. He desires to be an intimate part of our lives, but He’s not going to force His way in. You have to invite Him into your heart!
Even though life is busy these days, there’s nothing that should ever take priority over your time with God. Sit down, pray through your schedule, and ask God what needs to go in order to make more time for Him. Be willing to trust in Him in whatever way He leads you.
Pray for Others
James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Another remarkably powerful aspect of prayer is the way that we can act as an intercessor in the lives of others! God allows us to come before Him and ask for His power to manifest in the lives of others in miraculous ways.
Take James 5:16 to heart. Never doubt the power that your prayer has in the lives of others. Let God know the desire in your heart to see His blessings poured out upon the lives of others. He will respond to that desire in incredible ways.
Conclusion
Prayer is essential to the lives of every Christian. Through it, we connect with God in ways that build an inseparable bond with our Creator. God also uses prayer to shape our hearts and minds according to His will. Commit to developing a vibrant prayer life today, and experience the limitless spiritual growth available to you today!
