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Author Topic: Tips for a more effective prayer life  (Read 2677 times)

Offline LaylaMonroe

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Tips for a more effective prayer life
« on: May 26, 2011, 09:55:16 AM »
I didn't want to use the word "tips" but I couldn't think of anything else... lol.

So, I thought I'd share some of the things I've learned that make my prayer life more effective.

1. Start with clean hands. We all know that holiness is a lifestyle, and holiness pleases God. The Bible says that the effectual, fervent prayers of the righteous availeth much (James 5:16). If you have an outstanding ought with a brother or with the Lord, get it right before coming to the Lord in prayer. Repent (express true remorse and turn from sinful ways).

2. When you pray with clean hands, you can remind God of your record and approach his throne boldly. I think it was Nehemiah (or maybe Daniel) that reminded God of his record. I'll come back with the scripture reference. Have to find it. *edit* It was in Nehemiah 5:19 that Nehemiah asked God to remember His record. And Hebrews 6:10 reminds us that God will not forget or overlook our labor.

3. Pray the will of God. I John 5:14 says that we can pray confidently knowing that He hears us when we pray according to His will. And also, Hezekiah's story lets us know that we can ask for mercy when our desires conflict with God's will.

4. Pray the Word. You can't pray the Word unless you know the Word, so you have to study, too. But I like praying the Word because it's already proven. It is God's record with His people, so it encourages me to know that if He did it before, He'll do it again. Plus, His Word is life. I believe God delights in hearing His word (Jesus) brought back to Him in faith.

5. Speaking of faith, the Bible says that without faith, it's impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). We must ask Him in faith, never allowing our thoughts to cause us to doubt His ability or willingness to answer.

6. I like to write down my prayers. For one, this helps me keep track of what I'm supposed to be praying for (sometimes, I forget when people ask me to pray for certain things - or even my own prayer requests or prayer assignments). But also, it helps me to keep track of answered prayers. It is encouraging to look back over the things you've asked God to do and see the evidence that He still answers prayers.

7. Listen. Don't just talk to Him, but listen for His voice. Get to know His voice. I learned a lesson some years ago that sometimes we can stress ourselves out by asking for something over and over again and getting all upset and worked up, when He already answered the first time I asked months prior... but I wasn't listening, so I didn't hear Him. When I pray, I listen for answers, for instruction, for direction, for help.

8. Testify. When God answers your prayer, share the story! God is glorified, people are edified, and you are fortified. The Bible says that the brethren overcame the enemy (their accuser) by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony (Revelations 12:11).

Prayer doesn't have to be a formal event. I live a life of prayer, so I'm always praying - all day, every day. Prayer is just communicating (talking AND listening) with God. I pray in the shower, while I'm getting dressed, on my way to work, at work, going home from work, hanging out at the mall, in the park, wherever I am, I'm praying. As things cross my mind, I share them with God. When I think of people, I call their name before the Lord and ask Him to meet their needs. When stuff bothers me, I unload it on Him. When I see something He created, I thank Him for it. That's all prayer. And it's a good habit to get into.

Anybody have any other "tips"?
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Offline phbrown

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Re: Tips for a more effective prayer life
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2011, 10:21:33 AM »
Make prayer a habit: To do this you may need to set an alarm in you phone or something so that it forces you to remember oh its 7pm today I'm going to pray. After you do this for about a month or so praying will become second nature to you.

Some people prefer to pray when they first wake up, others when they go to bed, and some just whenever the thought occurs. The key is to pray and listen.

Communication is very important for relationships.

Offline LaylaMonroe

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Re: Tips for a more effective prayer life
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2011, 10:24:38 AM »
That's a really good one, PHB. I remember once I was re-reading (for the zillionth time) the book of Daniel, and for the first time, it jumped out at me that Daniel practiced praying 3x a day. I think I mentioned that on another thread (Total Health, maybe?). I was thinking that if he could pray 3x a day, surely I could designate time at least ONCE a day.

As I mentioned, I pray a lot. But I still have not been successful at praying at that designated time. I really want to do that.
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Offline LaylaMonroe

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Re: Tips for a more effective prayer life
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2011, 07:37:22 AM »
And here is some more information on designated prayer times, per the Old Testament. Pretty informative article.

http://www.awarenessministry.org/biblicalhoursofprayer.htm
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Offline chevonee

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Re: Tips for a more effective prayer life
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2011, 07:43:36 AM »
I hope I can say this like I feel it and I hope I'm not being redundant. If so, just ignore it. Prayer shouldn't just be used during times of trouble. Prayer is a seed to get your through those times before you get there.

Hope this makes sense.
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Re: Tips for a more effective prayer life
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2011, 08:36:48 PM »
This is POWERFUL sister!!!  I have really been convicted lately about getting back to a strong prayer life.  I have printed out your post, including the info on the link about the prayer hour.  Thanks so much for this exhortation!!!  God bless you.

Offline JustBritt

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Re: Tips for a more effective prayer life
« Reply #6 on: August 22, 2011, 09:48:48 PM »
Wow good thread!

*copying/pasting and printing*
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Offline musallio

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Re: Tips for a more effective prayer life
« Reply #7 on: August 25, 2011, 05:57:13 PM »
 8) 8)Powerful stuff!!!

Well structured. This topic drew my attention because I primarily joined the church where I'm currently serving because I saw the prayer lifestyle of the pastor. Not to mention that I saw my prayer life grow tremendously for the 1st time in 12 years in a way I'd never experienced before.

All that you mentioned is correct. All the additions that others contributed I also testify to them. Perhaps I can add 1 or 2 other points:

1) Learn to speak out your prayers [especially in group prayer sessions.]. This also empowers those that hear you and by listening to you they may also learn how to pray. My pastor always says that he learnt how to pray by listening to and repeating what his pastor was praying. Before he knew it, he could pray on his own.

2) Surround yourself with people who love to pray & who can pray "better" than you. I primarily joined the church where I am to take my prayer life to the next level. I thought my pastor really prayed until I met his friend. trust me, to his friend, praying is like playing ten pin bowls- he just prays and prays and pray. You can fall asleep and wake up 4 times in 4 hours and he'll still be praying! I'll be honest, even my pastor tries to avoid asking him to pray if he wants a quick prayer because the friend has to be reminded that time is limited.

But it's a great challenge when you surround yourself with such people in your life. and the reason this friend never runs out of prayer items is because he prays the will of God, with the bible next to him. One can never exhaust praying the will of God.

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