As we embark on our annual 21 Days of Prayer, I sense an urgency that prayer must become more than a thing we occasionally engage in. I believe that God is going to enrich your prayer life. These 21 days are simply a launching pad to grow and deepen the way you connect with, exalt, listen to, petition, and lament to the King of Kings. I am reminded of 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which says, “pray without ceasing.” That does sound great but it seems impossible.
Have you ever started to pray and then got distracted? Have you ever gone to pray and could not find the words? Did you once have a great prayer life, but it has dissipated? We have all had moments like this that resonate deeply. So often, our “pray without ceasing” ceases. What does “without ceasing” really look like? Simply, to continually keep God, others, and your petitions on your mind.
As you enter this moment of devoting time and attention to developing a season or a life of prayer, I encourage you to try a few things.
Follow Jesus’ Instructions
In Matthew, Jesus tells us exactly how to pray:
“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, you will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’” (Matthew 6:9-13)
There is no need to be extravagant. There is no need to sit for hours. He provided a place to start. Start there. Jesus is teaching you how to pray and even what to pray.
When our little family drives to school, we say this prayer together. It leads us to examine our hearts, share what’s on our minds, and prepare the way for God to speak and lead our day.
Memorize it. Use it to draw out other things in you. Allow it to draw you to repentance, where you share your sins with your Heavenly Father. Let it help you consider who you need to forgive. Each moment of this prayer alone can lead to an unceasing prayer life.
Follow Jesus as the Model
Jesus intentionally took time away to pray. He was popular. People desired to be near Him, to be healed, and to hear what He had to say. He was never alone unless He was intentionally alone.
We see the following in Luke:
Yet he often withdrew to deserted places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)
Even Jesus understood that the sacred place was when it was just Him and God. He had to withdraw from the people. He had to walk away from the distractions, good and bad. He purposefully drew near.
Create a space for you to be with God. It can be your car, your closet, or a cozy nook in the corner of your bedroom. Wherever it is, consistently use it to be a place where you withdraw and pray.
I am believing for these next few weeks to not just change your prayer life, but to change your life! May it draw you to a deep desire to know God, your Father.
Prayer
Lord, as we each come to you in prayer these next 21 days, we would desire more intimate moments with you. I pray that as we take this time to seek you, we will see miracles in our lives. As we boldly come to you, would you speak to us? Would you meet with us? We give this time to you and commit to devoting the next 21 days to developing a life of prayer!
