BE THE MIRACLE!

10 Ideas to Boost Your Prayer Life

By Jenny Baxter

If your prayers have become like the proverbial shopping list, why not try moving ‘out of the box'?

1. Make time for yourself today to enjoy being ‘you'. Take off your shoes and play some uplifting music (any style of worship music you enjoy). Try this link from Chris Tomlin Everlasting God . Respond to Jesus as you worship him. You could curl up in your favorite chair and dream about being nestled in his arms. Or perhaps enjoy this free moment to move and dance, however creatively. You could also try drawing or painting an expression of worship as you listen.

2. Sit quietly for a few minutes with a pen and paper. Instead of bringing a list of requests, ask God to still your mind and remove your own ideas, or any thoughts not from Him. Then speak out the following question:

W hat do you want to tell me about myself today Lord?

Write down thoughts that come to mind, no matter what they are.

Consider these verses:

Then God promises to love me all day, sing songs all through the night! My life is God's prayer. Psalm 42:8 (MSG)

The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. Psalm 45:11 (NIV)

3. Begin a prayer journal. Find an attractive notebook to record prayers and answers. On the left page, record the date, and a list of specific requests. The page on the right is for writing dates and answers to your prayers. This will be a very encouraging notebook to review.

4. Choose a psalm and in your journal, re-write it by personalizing with your name and situations. This can be a life-changing activity.

5. Investigate some prayer websites. Look up ‘prayer' on your favorite search engine. Here are some worthwhile sites to look at:

Stormie Omartian's Global Prayer Community

The United States Prayer Reformation Network

PrayAbout.com

6. Consistency. Even with small children running around, you can maintain a consistent prayer life. It is not easy, but persist and discipline yourself. There is no equipment required and there are no limitations of time or place. So be creative! Pray when driving to work; when preparing a meal; when alone in the bathroom; when up with baby; when waiting for a teenager; when sleep is hard to come by. God will listen any time. Your life will be slowly be transformed into the ‘you' he made you to be.

7. Investigate prayer and fasting. There is power in fasting prayer. Even fasting for one meal, as a ‘sacrifice of praise' can have a significant impact on your life or the lives of others. (If you have diabetes or are on medication, check with your doctor first!) See the following Web resource about fasting from All About Prayer

8. Join with others. Invite your spouse to pray with you. Revitalize your relationship by acknowledging things deeply held. Then pray for one another.

Are there others who meet regularly for prayer in your area? Look for opportunities to gather, or maybe initiate your own group. For many years I met with other believers from my children's school to pray for concerns of school life. We saw some amazing answers.

9. Go prayer walking. This is a daily habit of mine. I ponder God's goodness, praise Him for the things I see around me and commit myself fully to Him for the day ahead. I just love the sense of peace and praise as I walk, talk, sing and enjoy His company – thankfully I walk in a place where there is no one else to hear me! Often I just let my mind wander . . . it's amazing the things I am led to think and pray about.

10. The ultimate challenge . Consider this quote of Phillips Brooks (1835 - 1893)

“Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but YOU SHALL BE THE MIRACLE.”            

A version of this article by Jenny is found in the July 2009 edition of Woman Alive UK

Jenny Baxter and her husband Stephen have five children, three of whom have already flown the nest. She is the editor of Christian Woman magazine (Aust/NZ) which has NO PLANS to close its print version: www.christianwoman.com.au US Subscriptions are welcome!