Make Prayer An Every Day Conversation With God

As our small group meeting was ending, the leader asked if anyone would close us in prayer. Instinctively, I buried my head in my Bible, trying not to make eye contact, hoping desperately one of the “good pray-ers” would volunteer. You know, the ones who always sound so eloquent and seem to have the perfect words. I squirmed a little in my chair, feeling my face become flushed, as the leader looked for someone to ask.

Have you ever felt this way? Why are we so afraid to pray in public? Why are we so uncertain even in our private prayer time?

Why are we so intimidated by prayer?

I used to think prayers had to be said a certain way or use special poetic language. The prayers I always heard at church were so beautifully written. I didn’t always understand them, but loved how they sounded. However, I could never get my prayers to sound quite the same. I got frustrated and felt that my prayers weren’t good enough or weren’t the right words to take to God.

Then I learned that prayer is just a conversation with God and He wants to talk with us in whatever words we can muster, even when we can’t even find the words to say. We don’t have to follow a set script or formula. We don’t have to use any specific words or poetic phrases. We just have to be present and start a dialog.

How To Make Prayer An Every Day Conversation With God

Let’s look at some key elements of a good conversation and see how we can apply these to prayer. I don’t always get all of these incorporated into each prayer. Sometimes my prayer will focus on just one or two, but I do try to touch on each throughout the day.

1) Start with a compliment or praise

Who doesn’t like to hear something nice? We all love when a friend says something nice – compliments our hair or shoes, praises something we’ve done. God’s no different. He loves to hear us praise Him.

God, you are amazing! What an awesome sunrise you created this morning!

2) Say thank you

We drill this into our children all the time to say ‘thank you’ anytime someone gives you something. It’s a common curtesy and makes the other person feel appreciated and more willing to give again.

Thank you, God, for the blessings You pour down upon us. Thank you for bringing us together this day, to read and study Your word and to learn how to have better conversations with You.

3) Share something about your day, what ’s going on in your life

God wants to be part of your life. To truly let Him in, you need to share what’s happening in your life, what’s on your heart. Maybe a concern you have from the day. Maybe a decision you need to make. Maybe something that’s causing you stress and worry. What would you share if you were having this conversation with a friend?

God, sometimes I struggle with prayer. I know I should feel more comfortable talking to You and I should volunteer more to lead our group in prayer, but I just don’t feel I’ll have the right words.

4) Apologize for anything you’ve done

What is the other phrase we constantly drill into our children? “I’m sorry.” We are forever guiding our kids to say “I’m sorry” when they’ve done anything wrong to someone else, yet we don’t always set the best example, do we? How many times each day do we mess up? How often do we sin in thought, word or deed? God wants to hear our “I’m sorry.”

I’m sorry for not trusting You to guide me and help me find the words. Sorry for not believing You want to hear whatever words I have. I know prayer is not a contest for who has the best words, but instead is an offering of ourselves to You.

5) Make your requests – ask for yourself and others

Asking for ourselves and others is an essential part of prayer. This is where prayer can be so powerful and effective. Pour out your heart to God, asking Him for help, guidance, and healing. Pray for yourself and pray for others.

Lord, help me be more confident in my prayers so I can be a stronger leader. Help me boldly pray for myself and others, and then truly believe You are at work in these requests. When I can’t find the right words, I trust You know even the groanings of my heart.

6) Listen

Finally, listen for God. Don’t fill all your prayer time with your own words. If you were talking to someone in person, you’d give them a chance to talk, right? So, allow God the same space. You may not always hear Him in that moment, but be sure you build those quiet listening times into your life so you can hear God.

{Silence, deep breath, quiet even your inner monologue so your soul can listen}

Lord, hear these prayers and go with us into this day. Equip us to better pray and have heart-felt conversations with You so we can continually grow closer in our relationship with You. Amen.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. I they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:13-16 NIV)

I still may not be the first one to volunteer to lead the group in prayer, but I do feel more confident when I am asked or do volunteer. Learning that prayer is just a conversation and I can just let the Spirit guide my words was freeing. It’s not about using special words or poetic phrases. There are no right or wrong words to say. Just speak what’s on your heart and have a conversation with God in that moment.

Will you open the conversation with God today? He’s waiting…

I found this great post by Cathy Peek this week that had some simple ideas to incorporate prayer throughout your day.

This post is part of the “A Better Change” series. For more information on this series and to find related posts, click here: A Better Change Series – Overview

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