Focus Your Prayer Life

Here are a few steps to help you develop, deepen and focus your prayer time. Many of the complaints that people have about prayer are answered, or can be remedied by following these steps.

1. Keep a journal of all answers to prayer. Earlier I suggested writing your prayers. This idea is very similar. When we keep a record of what God is done, it encourages our continued prayer and faithfulness. Answered prayer begets faith. Faith begets more answers to prayer. Remind yourself regularly of the effectiveness of prayer.
2. Start a prayer ministry at your church. An intercessory prayer group would be a great place to start, but getting several people together for prayer is sometimes difficult. Try a prayer wall. Provide sticky-notes for individuals to write and post their prayer concerns and answers to prayer. Watch how your prayer life gets charged and your congregation experiences a fresh renewal.
3. Pray for other people. Do not be so consumed with your own needs that you forget to pray for other people. Especially pray for those you have problems with.
4. Be silent so that you can listen to God. We usually spend too much time telling God what we want or need. Be sure that when you are praying you listen to what God is saying.
5. Pray with the Bible. The Scriptures can be a great source for prayer material. In fact, much of the Bible is already written in the form of prayer. Use the Bible as a source and a guide for your devotional and prayer life.
6. Get a prayer partner. Find someone that you can share with, pray with and be accountable with.
7. Learn several models for prayer. Some of my favorites are:

• ACTS- Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication
• PRAY- Praise, Repent, Ask and Yield
• ABC- Adore, Believe, Confess

You will be on your way to a more fulfilling and exciting prayer life when you work on a few of these steps.