10 Prayer Tactics
"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."—Martin Luther
"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them."— Jesus, in Matthew 18:20
Change Your Approach To Prayer
How would you rate your comfort level when it comes to prayer? Do you feel a little reserved praying in front of others – or even when it's just you and God? Do you wonder how often to pray, how long to pray, where to pray, or under what circumstances to pray? Here are ten ideas for establishing a healthy, satisfying, God-honoring rhythm of conversation with our heavenly Father.
Pray the Psalms.
Read a psalm and stop to pray at any point along the way. "Thanks, God, for that reminder." "I'm not sure I understand, Father." "Wow – I can identify with that!" The psalms are full of prayers to get you going, and you will learn from the ancient ones how they prayed.
Pray in the car.
Turn off the radio, and turn your thoughts to God. Imagine Him sitting in the seat next to you. Visit with Him on your way to and from work each day. After all, He is indeed with you – prime time for a little one-on-one.
Pray at meals.
Take a moment to pray before you eat – at home or elsewhere. Thank God for the food, for His presence, and for the company around the table (if you're eating with others). You can pray aloud if you want, or bow your head and pray in silence – whatever seems right at the time.
Pray in private meetings.
Whether your meeting is impromptu or by appointment, pray before you start or pray when you're done. Or both. Not sure how anybody else might feel about it? Ask! "Do you mind if I pray…?"
Pray with your spouse or prayer partner.
There is nothing more powerful than praying with another person. "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them," Jesus said (Matthew 18:20). Be honest and transparent with each other and with God – it can be a sweet time.
Pray with a text.
Shoot a text to a friend offering up a prayer of praise or petition for this person in your life.
Pray by phone.
Call a friend to pray by phone. Or pray with a friend who calls you with a concern or need. It's like a conference call with God, because it's you, the Lord, and the other guy.
Pray with a journal.
Write out your prayers. It'll help you focus and slow down. And when you see that your prayer is answered, make a note of that, too.
Pray out loud.
Jesus apparently prayed this way often, since so many of His prayers have been recorded in Scripture. Even when you're alone, prayer sometimes seems more real when it's not just in your head.
Pray with an alarm.
Set a specific time with your phone alarm as a reminder to pray a few moments each day. It's an aid to discipline and consistency. Pretty soon you won't even need the alarm!
In short, pray anytime, anywhere, for any reason – alone or with others. With a little practice and intentionality, it'll become as natural as breathing.
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Vince Miller is a speaker, author, and mentor to men. He is an authentic and transparent leader who loves to communicate to audiences on the topics of mentorship, fathering, leadership and manhood. He has authored 16 books and small group curriculum for men and is the primary content creator of all Resolute materials. Contact Vince Miller here. His newest book is 20 Lessons That Build A Leader.