that is where I am striving to be and where I want to continually seek to learn more.
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
I've been praying my entire life, ever since I can remember at least. I learned my bedtime prayer at a young age and often I still repeat this prayer when my head hits the pillow at night. I have even taught this very prayer to my son as we say night night prayers.
However, I've recently been challenged to PRAY FERVENTLY. (I'd encourage you to read Fervent Prayer by: Pricilla Shirer)
Fervent: intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm (dictionary.com)
PRAY FERVENTLY: Praying with intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm
Imagine that? What visual pops into your head when you imagine what it looks like to PRAY FERVENTLY? Typically, you would visualize a paster you once heard praying out loud with gusto. Maybe, a worship leader you've heard in the past praying over a large crowd. Maybe a motivational speaker you listened too once in your lifetime.
You know what I see???
I visualize what I would LIKE to see happen. I see the future me that God is revealing. I see a calling and challenge to deepen my prayer life.
I picture me in a quiet small setting, on bended knee, head bowed and eyes closed, tears streaming down my face, as I cry out to God.
I see focus. I see practice. I see moments of quiet and still, but also moments of worship and song. I visualize what God wishes my prayer life would look like, what he has in store for my future, what he envisions our relationship to look like as He leads me beside still waters and down straight and narrow paths. I see hope.
I hear ya, God.
A few ways to make prayer a positive habit in your life:
1) Start with simply journaling your prayers. I'm a list-maker so I simply number and bullet my prayers each day. Over the last two months of doing this, I have seen such a positive impact in my prayer life. Taking intentional time in my morning to WRITE DOWN my prayer requests to God. I can visualize what is on my mind, but also I will be able to reflect back months down the road and see just how my prayers unfolded according to God's plan.
2) Pray FOR your spouse. Every day. This is the person you are closest too. Your spouse knows you and desires to know you deeper. YOU MUST PRAY FOR YOUR PERSON. Just do it. You will begin to see a stronger and calmer presence in your spouse as your are praying fervently for him/her.
3) Set a phone reminder to alarm every hour. When your reminder chimes- actually pray! I know life is busy, and who knows where you will be when it alarms. But no matter what you're in the middle of, simply stop for one quick minute and whisper your requests and gratitude to God.
4) You know all those times you are in conversation with someone and they tell you what they are currently battling? In the south, we tend to respond to these instances with "bless your heart, I'm so sorry to hear that, I will be praying for you". I challenge you to not only speak those words, but actually pray. Right there. Right now. Out loud. Through text message, email, phone conversations, in person. Wherever you find yourself. When you hear those words come out of your mouth and written in a text- DO IT NOW! The person on the receiving end of the prayers will be just as shocked and touched as you will be in return for actually doing so.
These are just a few ways to start deepening your prayer life with God. I'd love to hear your "prayer habits"!
And know this with boldness and confidence as you read this statement right now.....
I AM PRAYING FOR YOU! Yes...YOU! This very minute and throughout my day.
YOU are in my prayers. I will not forget you.
reagan
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