How do you pray?

[luvmy4sons]

The Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. 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.

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.

I think it can never be wrong to pray God's Word back to Him. 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.

But either way God is pleased at any effort to communicate to him. 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!

[mom2five]

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

[SoapLady]

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!

[love2bmom]

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!!

[krazee4jc]

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 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.

[Gracy47]

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!!