Does your prayer time seem hurried and unproductive? Do you really focus on praying or is your mind drifting when you attempt to talk with God? How can we learn to cultivate a lifestyle of prayer that is both meaningful and impactful?

Is Your Pray Time Meaningful?

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I allow my prayer times to become hurried and rushed as I try to pray on the run; or when I am trying to handle a problem on my own. As a result, I still feel rushed and anxious after the ‘amen’ because my focus was neither on God nor the prayer. It was on the problem and how I am going to handle it.

It is assumed David wrote Psalms 61, 62, & 63 during a time of refuge. Perhaps when he escaped during Absalom’s rebellion or when he was hiding in the wilderness after Saul tried to kill him. Regardless, it is obvious David was dealing with anxiety and big problems. But David didn’t leave God out; he shows us how to trust God, praise God, and pray to God in all circumstances.

Pray Continuously

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul reminds us to cultivate an attitude of prayer by praying continuously throughout our days. But sometimes I forget that God also wants me to come before Him in reverent, bold prayer. God wants me to humble myself before Him, confess my sins, and reveal my deepest needs and desires. God wants my worship through prayer. God wants to renew my spirit, refresh my soul, and restore my faith. For me, that means getting up earlier, or even having my time with God before I get out of bed. The outcome of my day depends on whether I start my day with God or not. My attitude toward everything that day depends on my morning prayer time with God. On the days I skip time with God, I realize my focus is easily manipulated by the enemy.

There is not a single right or wrong way of spending time with God. Your time with God will be different than my time with God, as it should be. Our prayer times are the most important conversations of our days. Maybe we should pencil in ‘prayer time’ on our calendars if it will help us keep our date with God!

May you find peace and joy in the Lord today.

Prayer

Thank You, Father, for your blessings on me. I come to You in bold praise and repentance. You are my refuge, my strength, and my all. Please forgive me for my rushed and mindless jabbering. Help me to be still in Your presence and pour out my heart before You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah.” (Psalm 62:8)

1. Do you need to cultivate a lifestyle of prayer?
2. How can you prepare your heart and mind before you come to God?
3. In what ways can you incorporate worship into your prayer life?
4. How can you improve your daily prayer time schedule?
5. Do you have specific times or days designated to pray for specific concerns, people, or situations?
6. Do you feel prayer journals or prayer lists can help you better organize your prayer time?
7. What one specific aspect in your life must be adjusted so you can meet God in bold prayer and worship every day?