We’re going to answer that question this weekend at Cool Spring. Prayer is as much heart as it is habit. When we’re motivated to pray, we pray. And, you’re more apt to pray when you’ve established good habits that foster its practice. Jesus demonstrates both heart and habit. He would often slip away to the wilderness to pray (see Luke 5:16).
How do you motivate the heart to pray? I think it starts with nurturing the desire for the conversation. Prayer is about a conversation (actually more listening instead of speaking). The nurturing comes with an immersion into Scripture. The more we discover about God, the more we want to be around Him. We’re inspired by His attributes, His work and His love for us. We’re drawn to Him and Scripture fills our mind with the things that draw us to Him. He captures my heart in His word. We’re also motivated when we understand more of prayer’s mystery. The more we learn to converse with God, the more we want to engage the conversation. How do you motivate the heart the pray? You allow Scripture to speak to you about the nature of God and practices of prayer.
What habits can I practice to encourage prayer (conversations)? Here are a few thoughts:
Practice a mindfulness of God’s presence throughout the day. Pray at all time with various prayers and supplications (Ephesians 6:18). As you go about your day, be intentional about short conversations in the awareness of God’s presence. That’s the short prayer in the elevation or as you’re driving down the street.
Plan your day for scheduled prayer. Maybe it’s before you get out of bed or as you’re going to sleep. Find space to be alone and away from the crowd. Located that still place and schedule the conversation. We calendar everything else in life; why not schedule times of prayer to guarantee an opportunity to hear from God?
Wear or display prayer reminders. Maybe it’s a rubber band or wristband you’ll wear to remind you to pray. Lots of people use sticky notes or calendar reminders on electronic devices to remind them it’s time to pray.
Designate a routine space to meet God. What about the kitchen table, back porch or favorite chair? Make a special place to meet with Him regularly. Maintain a journal (handwritten, voice or electronic) of your prayers marking down your requests and recording the God moments in the conversation.
Meet weekly to pray with others in agreement. This should be a regular appointment. Know that you’re prayed for and prayed with throughout the week. Praying with others regularly is a form of accountability. Share your concerns, insights and most of all be transparent.
Want to nurture your motivation to pray? Try reading Jesus’ prayers and how He instructed us to pray. Read through the Psalms and hear the deep felt cries of the Psalmist. Want a greater consistency in your prayer practice? Start a new habit. Plan to pray, carry around a reminder or practice a mindfulness of God’s presence throughout the day. Today is great day to grow in the conversation; God’s waiting.
