I’m inconsistent by nature. I'm a BIG idea person and an excellent
starter, but I struggle to be a finisher. This has been gravely evident
in my spiritual life. I tell myself:
I’m going to memorize one new scripture a week (
not quite).
I’ll wake up every morning at 4:00 am to have my quiet time (
not even).
This year I’m going to finally read the Bible in it’s entirety (
still working on it).
Despite my struggles to be consistent, I have somehow developed a few
non-negotiables as it relates to prayer. This one discipline I’ve worked
at with unrelenting effort, not because I am trying to master it, but
simply out of sheer necessity. My prayer time has evolved into a
must-have if I’m going to maintain some semblance of sanity.
Beth Moore says the following in her book
Audacious:
“Take unrestrained pleasure in Him. There’s no end to Jesus. No way to
wear Him out. No way to plug the spring and make the well run dry. No
way to end up in a colossal codependent mess. He’s just not one to
co-depend.”
God is not repelled by our neediness—we can return again and again to
Him as much as we have need. Whether I’m crouched on the floor of my
office, speeding down the road in my car, or perched on top of a toilet,
I can go to God in prayer.
And I am no theologian, just a woman who has needed God more than the
very air I’m breathing. And just in case you need Him like that too, I’m
passing on these suggestions in hopes that your personal prayer time
will become a place of refuge you can run to when the storms of life are
more than you can bare. Here are six practical suggestions for
improving your prayer life.
#1: Repent and Start Fresh
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. - Psalm 51:10 ESV
Praying when there is an area of sin in your life can be like trying to
drive down a barricaded road. Sin is a blockage that prevents us from
tapping into the heart of God. As difficult as it is, in order to
develop a thriving prayer life, we must get into the habit of
consistently confessing and repenting of our sins before God. Sometimes
this will require us to apologize and confess to others too. If this is
the case be courageous and know that intimacy with God is worth the work
it takes to achieve it.
Credit;
http://www.ibelieve.com/slideshows/6-simple-ideas-for-improving-your-prayer-life.html