Is your prayer life on the down slope? Do you fall into the habit of a quick "now-I-lay-me-down-to-sleep" attempt at seeking the face of God, instead of those intense revival-breaking prayers that broke open the skies over people like C. H. Spurgeon and Charles Finney? Here are a few practical tips to get back on track.
[RELAX]
Take a few minutes to listen to some worship music, stretch, get quiet. Meditate (repetitive concentration) on a verse or two of Scripture about God’s nature.
[ASSUME POSITION]
Of course we can pray anywhere and anytime, but it’s clear that God wants us to be humble. If that means physically kneeling or bowing, or if it means a conscious acknowledgment of that "fear of the Lord," the important thing is to understand who God is, and that He’s bigger than you.
[SLOW DOWN]
Don’t rush into your "wish list" as though you are sitting on the knee of a mall Santa. Take some time to worship Him. Read a Psalm. Confess your sin. Thank Him. Try to visualize meeting Him face to face and what your response to Him would be.
[LISTEN]
Be still and know the He is God. Prayer is not for God to recognize your needs. He already knows what you need. He wants you to pray so that you recognize your need of Him. Take a minute to reflect on what He wants from you.
[KEEP IT GOING]
The Apostle Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. If it helps, don’t say "amen" when you get up to go back to your day. Try to remain in that attitude of prayer for the rest of the day. Temptation is a lot clearer and easier to avoid. God seems nearer. Actually, He’s not going anywhere. He’s always there, but when we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. Experiencing the presence of God starts with our initiative in seeking Him incessantly.
