To pray is to let Jesus come into our hearts. It is not our prayer which moves the Lord Jesus, it is Jesus who moves us to pray. To pray is nothing more involved than to let Jesus into our needs. Prayer, perhaps more than any other activity, expresses the fact that God invites us to be in a personal relationship with him. The practice of biblical prayer is learned behavior, even the disciples had to be taught.
Activities
- Today, start right where you are. Talk to Jesus about what really matters in your life – share your thoughts with Him. Listen as you let Jesus speak to you.
- Today, listen to worship music. What captures your heart? Repeat the words to yourself. Hear Jesus speaking these words to you. Let the words rest inside you and quiet your heart.
- Read a short passage of Scripture slowly and out loud. Choose a word from the text as ‘prayer word’ for the day. Become still and offer yourself and your love to God. Let this word draw you into the presence of Christ. When you are distracted throughout the day, go back to your word and to the Lord.
- Today, take a new posture for your prayer time. Stand as a way to honor God’s presence. Lift up your arms or hands towards heaven. Look up to heaven with open eyes. Kneel to express humility. Lie face down or bow down in a posture of submission and obedience.
- In a conversation today, practice not interrupting. Just listen. What do you learn about someone that you never knew before because you listened deeply? (Life with others)
- Invite your children to take turns praying a one sentence prayer. You suggest the topics, inviting them each to pray one after the other: pray for mommy, daddy, a friend, children who are hurting, teachers, people who need help, etc. Ask them to talk about what is it like to pray this way.
- Settle into a time of quietness with God (if it is hard for you to sit still in God’s presence, go for a walk). Say to God, “Here I am. I am with you.” Be with God, welcome him with open arms. Be in the moment without controlling or influencing it. Give God the gift of your love and presence. Be with God in loving attentiveness. Leave his presence gently when you sense you must go.
- When you are convicted of your own sinfulness, turn to Psalm 51 or Psalm 32. Offer yourself to God in repentance. Read the psalm one verse at a time. Stop after each verse and talk to God about what you have read. Let the words of the psalmist comfort and sustain you.