Prayer is essential to your relationship with God.

Imagine a parent eagerly waiting to hear from their child after a long day – this is how God relates to you in prayer. It connects you to Him, aligns your heart with His will, and strengthens your faith. In this article, we will explore how you can reignite your prayer life with seven simple but transformative practices. This list is not exhaustive, but it is a great place to start if you feel that your fire has burned low.

  1. Pray about Your Prayer Life

Begin by asking God to develop and deepen your prayer life. Pray for the strength to commit, to be steadfast, devoted, and watchful in prayer. Be honest about your struggles, asking Him to guide and empower you.

  1. Plan Your Time

The saying goes: “Fail to plan, and you plan to fail!” Schedule regular, extended times of prayer in your daily routine. Choose your most alert and focused moments of the day to give God your best, not your leftovers.

  • Set alarms as reminders.
  • Leave notes or add prayer times to your planner.
  • Find a quiet, uninterrupted space: Your car during lunch breaks, a corner in your home, a closet, or the lull between feedings or nap times. If you are a student, carve out time at the library. If you are retired, dedicate part of your morning and/or evening routine to prayer.

Prayer is a habit that requires discipline and perseverance. Fight for it. Train for it.

  1. Engage Scripture

Your prayer life will grow in the soil of God’s Word. When you read Scripture, let the thoughts of God prompt and shape how you pray. Consider using structured reading plans like the Navigators Bible Reading Plan to guide you. I personally enjoy this plan because it is systematic and includes daily passages from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. By following this plan, you will gain a holistic understanding of Scripture, which will transform your prayer life.

  1. Create a Structure

A structured approach to prayer helps eliminate distractions and brings balance. It allows you to intercede for a variety of people, events, and kingdom priorities. Here’s an example of a structured prayer routine from my life:

  • Meditate on God’s Word: Start by reading Scripture and journaling thoughts that arise. Use these insights to shape your prayers.
  • Praise and Adoration: Focus on God’s character and works.
  • God’s Kingdom: Pray for His will and purposes to be fulfilled.
  • Personal Requests: My requests flow from my personal devotions each morning.
  • Family: Intercede for your immediate and extended family.
  • Friends: Lift up the needs of your friends.
  • Church: Pray through the church directory. Lift up pastors, unity, growth, and revival. Pray for the Spirit’s work in the congregation.
  • Community: Pray for local businesses, schools, and events.
  • World: Intercede for missionaries, world events, and governing authorities.

Tip: You can walk as you pray to help you focus.

  1. Use Prayer Tools

Apps like PrayerMate can help to organize your prayer life. It’s free, user-friendly, and allows you to track requests and pray intentionally for others.

  1. Find Accountability

Prayer is more powerful when shared. Partner with someone for mutual encouragement and accountability. Start by looking within your church community or small group to find a like-minded individual. Share your prayer goals and requests with each other, meet regularly to pray together, and encourage each other to stay committed. Mutual accountability could include checking in weekly, discussing answered prayers, or texting reminders to lift each other up throughout the day. Pray together regularly, share requests, and intercede for one another. This strengthens not only your relationship with God but also your bonds within the church.

  1. Pray as a Family

Your role as a parent is pivotal in shaping your children’s faith. Family prayer doesn’t have to be complex; it just needs to be consistent. A simple 10-minute devotion time can make a lasting impact.

  • Choose a set time, like before or after a meal.
  • Read a portion of Scripture and discuss it briefly.
  • Pray together for specific needs and thank God for His blessings.

Your children are watching and learning from you. Model Christlike behavior and show them the importance of prayer in daily life. Additionally, pray with and for your spouse! Pray that they would seek God’s face and grow by leaps and bounds in His grace, joy, peace, patience, and goodness.

Final Thoughts

Imagine how your life could change if prayer became your constant heartbeat. One member of our church recently shared how starting their day in prayer deepened their faith and brought focus to their hectic days. Their story reminds us that even small steps can lead to profound transformation in Christ. Your faith will deepen, your family will grow closer, and your joy will overflow.

The Creator of the Universe invites you to speak with Him directly—don’t miss the opportunity.

Start today. Whether it’s five minutes or fifty, commit to kindling your prayer life and see how God moves.

Take Him up on His invitation. You’ll be amazed at what He will do.