Although I have been a Christian for over 5 years now, I still don't feel comfortable with my prayers. I say many small prayers through out the day, but when it comes to evening prayers I'm always so overwhelmed with remebering who I should pray for, what I should be praying for, and so on. I often fall asleep or my mind just wonders on to other things as I am praying.

How much time do you spend praying? Is it different every night? Do you feel as if you are truly speaking with God?

I don't know if I can be of much help, because I also have a hard time with structured prayers; the pastor at my old church spoke of having a prayerful spirit and that has helped me to pray- I don't sit in a certain position or clasp my hands to gether or anything like that. Sometimes I become absorbed in prayer so it takes on a meditative feel... I don't usually pray out loud... I'm interested in reading what others contribute to your question- I'll see if I can find the verse my pastor spoke of; there are many verses in the Bible that tell us how we should pray.

I pray for different amounts of time each night. I usually start "Dear Heavenly Father" then sit quietly and just focus on God for a few minutes. Then I begin praying about whatever comes to me first. It usually flows from there.

If I feel my mind wandering (and yes, that does happen to me too :oops:), I then pray "Lord, please help me to focus on You alone. Please help me to put all other things out of my mind and concentrate only on You." I find by acknowledging that my mind is wandering, and asking God for help, it brings my focus back onto Him, and helps me to concentrate.

Yes, I do really feel like I'm talking to God. I often stop while praying, and sit quietly, just focussing on God, giving Him time to reach me too, instead of monopolising the conversation :wink:

I keep a list for the longer, more formal prayers naming family, friends, urgent but longstanding issues... and some of the general stuff like missions, leaders, churches, and also for the growth of dh and I.

To help me with fam/friends I use:
1.Keep them from evil
2.Sanctify them through Thy Truth
3.That God's love be in them
4.That they will know and glorify the one true God
5.That they gain knowledge of God/ Spir. Growth
6....for their faults, and for healing
3 John 1:2 ...mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

For dh and/or me, lines like:
That we understand what to do, and do such, with the blessings given to us
That we grow in wisdom always, and grow closer to the Lord and know Him better, always
That we resist temptation (spirit overcoming flesh always), and are rebuked for anything impure in our life
That we (mt 5:44) “Love our enemies, bless them that curse us, do good to them that hate us, and pray for them which despitefully use us, and persecute us.”
That we are perfected in forgiveness and mercy, trusting for and giving
That our mind is set on true treasures
That we watch
That we be content and not proud, and cast any worry/cares over to You


And just having it there in the open, I'll remember some of the "urgent" cases whenever I see it and that prompts more prayer.

For some things I remember (this is on my sheet too):
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Esp. online, sometimes you can't get the full story to give a detailed or accurate request, but if something seems amiss {but it's puzzling} all you can do is be fairly general, God already knows what they need.

Anyhow, ever since printing out the list I do pray a lot more!

I do a lot of talking to God throughout the day- as the person or situation comes to mind. I catch my mind wandering and myself getting tired at night too.

What helps me is a prayer list or journal to keep up with requests. If you see some requests on c-moms, you can just open up a file under word or notepad....anything like that, and then just check them every time you turn your computer on. I have a section on e-sword that lets you make a prayer list, and that's what I like to use.

I get out of bed and get on my knees. Because of my kids, my "formal" prayer time is pretty short, but I just feel like I can't face the day without praying for my family and praying for God's strength and guidance for the day.
To help me focus, I like to imagine Jesus kneeling beside me with His arms around me, listening as I talk to him.
kymommy

I don't like having repetative prayers I like to go to God without a "game plan" most of the time. I also have a prayer list on esword. Most of my prayer life is spontanious though and through out the day. I pray outloud, which really helps keep me from wondering. I also pray for God to help me keep focus when my mind starts to wonder. I let God lead the prayer, and remind me of who I need to pray for. I always praise God for the work he is doing in my life and others. If I am finding it especially hard to concentrate I get on my Knees or in a bowing position.

I talk to God several times a day, every day- I guess you could call them mini-prayers. At night when I usually pray for the bigger things - i.e. relatives who are in the hospital, it is harder to keep track of the other things people asked me to include in my nightly prayers that I said I would - I am going to try that e-sword software that was mentioned to see if it helps.

Hi

I also have mini prayers throughout the day and I also find that a prayer journal is a very good thing! I also keep a thanksgiving journal - if you write down everything that you're thankful for and give thanks for it, it helps.

:wink:

I talk to God all through my day. If I awake at night I talk to Him then too. I no longer have a formal prayer time. Late at night I lie in bed and talk to God. Any situation that arises or request that comes to me in prayed about aloud or silently the moment it comes, otherwise I'll forget it within the hour...I also pray for a safe return each time my husband or child leaves without me...Usually I'll pray whenever I feel the Spirit leads me whether its a personal need, friend's need, or something I hear in the news..

The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. [prayer] So in a way our very lives...are a continual prayer.(Romans 12:1) Just a constant awareness of His presence and little thoughts sent up His way throughout the day as you encounter different experiences. I do that! Just sort of talking to my "imaginary friend" so to speak, except He is real and not imaginary at all. [OK]

But for more formalized praying I like to write my prayers in a prayer journal. It makes me stay awake. It helps me to organize my thoughts. It also lends to me "talking things over" with Him as well because it can turn into a diary of sorts and then I just start telling Him things...and how I feel about it. It can take awhile sometimes. But it is time well spent. I do it in the morning before the kids get up, after hubby leaves. But each person must pick the time best for them. [cheerful]

I think it can never be wrong to pray God's Word back to Him. [redbible] There are many prayers that Paul lifts up for his flock that are excellent prayers to pray for people. Colossians 1:9-12 is one I pray daily for myself and my immediate family. Ephesians 1:18-19 is another great one! See God tells us that if we pray anything according to His will He hears us and if He hears us we know that we have what we have asked from Him ( 1 John 5:15) So when you pray His Word back to him we know that is within His will. Those are powerful prayers to pray for loved ones. [armourofgod]

But either way God is pleased at any effort to communicate to him. [heartbeat] You are his beloved, his chosen one, his precious child. The best prayer to pray is for wisdom to help you know how to pray. " If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously without finding fault and it will be given to him" Watch what will happen then! :wink: [girlsmiley]

I also have the problem with my mind wondering during prayer so what i do is keep it short and to the point but never forgetting to give God his glory and praise because if you think about it he already knows our heart and mind before we go to him in prayer [angel]

Thank you for posting this topic. Prayer is probably my primary challenge as a Christian. So often I feel like I'm "going through the motions" and not connecting with God at all. I go through periods of giving up altogether which totally goes against everything I believe. It's hard for me to make it a priority when it feels so meaningless. I've tried reading the Psalms, setting aside prayer time/place, saying quick prayers through the day, and other techniques, but nothing has brought lasting resolution for me. This thread inspires me to keep trying through the stuggle. Thank you all!

Our care group at church is doing a study right now ... Too Busy Not To Pray by Bill Hybels. It is Excellent. I have also found that keeping a prayer journal is a great way to keep my mind focussed. This is a great book for everyone to read!!

I start my day w/ a daily devotion, read & pray and usually sing a tone (LOL, my poor family & friends I can't sing) That will end up being my daily song too:-D I just pray as if I'm talking to a friend, which he is the VERY BEST ONE I HAVE.
I do pray throughout my day...for everything good & bad that comes my way. I thank him & ask him for strenght during the day, to be the light he wants me to be. I always pray that I encourage not discourage people.
I guess what I'm saying every prayer is not the same.

I start my day praying to God that He gave me another chance to live. And thanks Him for All the grace He have given to me...And I didn't stop loving him because He didn't stop loving ... yeah!!