Preparation for the Prayer
One thing I believe is overlooked is the importance of this topic concerning prayer, often we walk into prayer selfishly with open hands but not open hearts. What we don’t realize though is that we must prepare ourselves in our approach to prayer; what does this look like for us?
Preparation(n) means to “make ready” to organize, establish, and be firm, which also refers to being ready for what we ask (reference we can look at Matt 25:1-13). When we pray to God and ask for things we want to go with the right spirit, attitude, open heart, and pure motives. We must clear our minds from distractions and our hearts from any malice or unforgiveness we carry. We want to enter with praise and thanks on our lips, before asking for anything; acknowledging who God is and all he has already done in our lives. Affirm God and reassure Him of who He is in your life; He loves to be talked to and talked about. This lets God know that we appreciate all he’s continuously doing and it’s nothing we take lightly.
Developing a prayer life is essential in our spiritual walk but it’s not something we are intentional about, for many of us it’s an afterthought or last resort for others it’s second nature. A prayer life helps us develop a relationship with God and stay in communication with Him, it keeps us connected. It’s a lifestyle and many benefits come from having a prayer life, especially if wanting to go deeper into God. A few benefits of prayer are guidance and direction which allow us to be led by the Holy Spirit, inviting Him in sets the tone for our day, and prayer allows us to keep God at the forefront and remain aligned in His will for our lives. Through continuous prayer, we become disciplined, obedient, and sensitive to God’s voice in turn, allow our spirits to be filled in communion with Him.
How do we develop a prayer life?
First, we must approach prayer with spiritual preparedness; prayer has to be a priority when we wake up in the mornings and go throughout the day. We can start by walking in obedience; studying God’s Word consistently heeding His voice follow his instructions. Next, create a space, a room “prayer closet” with no distractions that you can dedicate to your prayer time, or even keep a prayer board, or prayer journal to write down prayers and take note of what God is saying to you. During this time of consecration, it’s good to master listening, we have a lot to say to God and He has a lot to say to us, this is a great space for us to press in and hear Him. Releasing all of our desires, worries, thoughts, and ideas to Him, emptying ourselves so we can be filled by God in this space. Set the atmosphere and prepare to invite God in, put on some instrumental worship music, and set your mind and heart for God. When we pray, we want to express our gratitude and pray firmly in belief reciting His word back to Him, in which we are speaking His language. Prayer is your opportunity to be as transparent and vulnerable as you possibly can with God.
How do I stay consistent?
Make it a daily practice to commune with God, whether it’s the same time every morning, afternoon, or night. Make time in your schedule and give God His own space so that he can have your full attention. Once you’re in the habit of studying your word, you’ll begin to talk to God more, ask questions and simply just want to talk to Him. It’s also helpful to create a prayer list, for some it’s easy to pray off the top of the head for others it’s more efficient to create a list of things and people they want to pray for. Developing this healthy practice will make you more comfortable talking to God regularly and because a prayer life has been developed in private, it’ll be easy for you to pray for or amongst others. Consistency takes discipline, focus, and a determination to get where you desire to be. We must also be intentional about the things we allow ourselves to consume so that we aren’t full and feasting on things that are not of God. Prayer should be a time that we enjoy we should be excited to tell God about our day, ask for his direction in our decision-making, and get his counsel.
How do I pray?
There is not just one way to pray, you can pray standing up, sitting down, on your knees, bowing at God’s feet and even prostrate, there are so many ways. Be comfortable however you pray, but don’t pray lazily. The key is to release total control of yourself and your mind over to God during this sacred time. One way we show surrender is by lifting our hands to God, there is a receiving stance and a surrender stance- surrender! Learn to pray out loud, this can be intimidating for some of us, but God wants to hear our voice, to USE our voice because he gave us authority to speak things in the faith and belief that we have through Him.