Prayer is crucial to our lives.
Have you wondered how to improve your prayer time?
It might surprise you, but I’ve come to the conclusion that my relationship with God is more dependent on me than on him. This realization has been pivotal in improving my prayer life.
You see, God is constant, never changing, always present.
Me… I’m up and down, coming and going, flitting all over like the butterflies I’ve been watching from my balcony garden.
There are days that I struggle to write or stay on task for any length of time. Honestly, I wish it wasn’t true, but that’s my life.
It’s no surprise to God that I’m like this because he created me. He “gets” me. And he is the constant trustworthy part of this relationship that he and I have.
I think God wants my prayer “life” with him to be like the time I enjoy with my husband.
When Tim and I get away to spend a day together, we have the best of times. We talk or don’t talk, we just enjoy being together and doing things together and experiencing life together. In fact, we aren’t even aware of the time until we’ve used it all up. And then we wish our adventure of the day wasn’t coming to an end.
God wants my conversation/prayer life to so saturate my day that I’m praying continuously.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks,
because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Your day will naturally and continually be filled with joy because you never stop praying.
What’s THE NUMBER ONE WAY to have a better prayer life?
Choose to Do Life with God.
Since God is the ever constant part of your relationship… it’s totally up to you to include him in your day.
He’s ready and waiting for you, so why not start your day with a purposeful conversation… one where you don’t do all the talking, but listen, too.
That’s how I like to start my day.
The best purposeful conversations I have with God are when I write my words to him in a journal.
Writing slows down my praying so that I don’t do all the talking. It helps me to a tune my ear to him.
And I can look back over my prayers and see how God worked.
If you haven’t tried it… get something to write in and give it a try.
Once you’ve begun your day with prayer… decide to continue that conversation throughout your day… just like you would with your spouse or friend.
It should become natural to have easy going brief conversations throughout your busy day.
For example…
There will be those moments when you realize how grateful you are to have a car with air conditioning when the thermometer is pushing 90 or 100 and you tell God.
You’ve got a meeting and you’re concerned and so you ask for guidance and wisdom and calm.
Your daughter calls and she needs advice, so on the spot before you give your advice, you ask God to give you HIS thoughts and words.
You select some worship music for your drive and ask God to breathe joy into your spirit as you worship him.
You pass someone on the side of the road changing a tire and you pray protection for him and an easy fix.
You’re waiting your turn and the line doesn’t seem to be moving, so you open the Bible app on your device and read a few verses.
And so on your day goes.
When we choose to walk side-by-side with God throughout the day in the same way we would a family member or a good friend, we’re praying constantly, we’re doing life with God.
It’s possible to never stop praying.
As time goes by… this will become more natural for you.
Initially, it might feel a little bit one-sided… but over time… you’ll learn to hear God’s whispers and nudges from the Holy Spirit guiding and directing you throughout your day.
This is what it’s like to “do life” with God and before you know it… you know how to have a better prayer life.
- Let me know if this was helpful to you and if you have other questions I can address in upcoming posts.
- I pray you will enjoy “doing life” with God in a new and fresh way.
It’s JoyDay!
Let’s take a few minutes to put into practice the rest of the verses…
Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God’s will in Christ Jesus that you do this.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Please join me in our weekly practice of giving thanks by counting seven ‘things’ from our week. It’s something God really wants us to do and when we do, he rewards us with JOY. The very thing he wants us to have at all times.
I’ll start…
God, I’m thankful
- that YOU are constant and always with me, regardless of my butterfly life.
- for a delightful walk on the beach with Tim before church.
- knowing that you love us more than we can imagine.
- for summer. (That’s moving way too fast!)
- for all the butterflies we’ve been seeing on our balcony this week.
- for my friend whose prayers make such a difference in my life.
- that YOU are my healer, restorer, provider… You’re such a good, good Father.
Okay…it’s YOUR turn!!
Scroll down to the comment section…Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts….and list your ‘seven.’ I can guarantee it will change how you see the world around you. It’s the best!!
Thank you for stopping by and taking time to leave your sweet thoughts.
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I grew up that we pray only for thankfulness or support, never every day things. Your post today is teaching, thank you.
Thank you so much for stopping by to chat, Patricia, and letting me know that this post was helpful to you.
May your prayer life bloom and may your walk with the Lord grow, too!
Happy Joy Day!
Lovely post. And I like how you compare your life to a butterfly, now I will think of you whenever I see one.
Hmm… now I think about it you do remind me of a butterfly ?. You sometimes show up and surprise me but always in a good way and leave me with a smile on my face because of your visit.
Lord this week I will keep this very simple and hopefully to the point.
You don’t watch me cry, you cry with me.
You don’t watch me hurt, you hurt because I hurt.
You are always here, you know all my struggles, fears, pain, and weaknesses.
You are THE GOD of everything! You made everything. You know everything. And you love me.
WOW!
You know sometimes I don’t hush up, sometimes I get grouchy, I have been known to jump to conclusions and judgment, all the not so nice things about me are known by you and you still love me.
Sometimes that is to big for my little mind to wrap itself around. And yet…it is true.
Blessings to you Diane! ?
Minnie
Oh Sweet Friend, you put the biggest smile on my face. {{hugs}}
I’m so sorry Minnie, for the challenges that brought you to tears, but grateful that you know how to lean hard on the ONE you trust and who loves you so very dearly.
May your week be filled with unexpected JOY!! xoxo
Your posts encourage me to a closer walk with God. Thank you.
Thank you, Lord, that the words on this page have encouraged Cheryl. May she sense your love and grace and joy permeating every step she takes this week. {hugs}
Hello.
It is nice to see pretty photos of your patio and flowers too with your topic in bold pink letters. I like to talk to the Lord often. He’s a true companion.
1. I too like the summer. Even though it’s hot.
2. Some people are returning home after fire evacuation. Tenderly care for them Lord.
3. A little one turns one and another lost a front tooth! Big milestones.
4. Faithfulness of a friend to drive me to appointments.
5. I got to get some accessories to go with what I had for a room. It’s getting there.
6. I’m glad for my Aunt.
7. I’m thankful for my hubby.
Awww… thanks, Gwen! It was fun to share this sweet spot with you.
Grateful with you for all the little blessings that make our days so much richer and joyful.
May your week overflow with even more JOY!! xoxo
Thank you for your wonderful and helpful post about “doing life” with God! I’ve actually prayed this way before but I always thought I was “cheating” and misbehaving!! Silly me! I’m pleased to know this way of praying is perfectly acceptable and even encouraged. It’s so much more real and practical.
JOY DAY!
Thank you Lord …
1. for encouraging me to pray throughout the day as it is so much more natural for me.
2. for helping me feel so much more positive and cheerful. You have indeed answered my prayers and made me feel loved.
3. for helping Judson have such a wonderful 5th Birthday! He had such fun and was so happy when we talked on the phone!
4. for hopefully listening to my prayers as I ask you to please help JoAnn and Rich Shugert. Rich was doing so well but now, with the new found adrenal malignancy, I am terribly concerned for his life.
5. for giving me the strength to make a plain apartment become our comfortable home. I am so pleased to know have somewhere I feel incredibly safe and sound!
6, for Guy. I know I include him in every Joy Day but it’s a must to list his care. Although I feel better, Guy still does a good part of our necessary chores. Not only does he cook all of our delicious meals, take care of all the laundry, pay bills and go to the market regularly, he ALWAYS take very good care of me! I love you, Guy.
7. for our beautiful, new, red umbrella we put out on the patio to help keep the late afternoon sun out of our eyes as we eat our evening meal! It works!!
When I was a little girl, I learned to play my grandpa’s favorite song on the piano. It was called “In the Garden.” I don’t remember all the lyrics, but I do remember these words from it… “and he walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me I am his own.” Lucy… what’s natural to you is how you were created to relate to God. He loves you and you are his. Stay the course, my friend! And keep thanking him and living out your heart of gratitude and joy.
Have a blessed blessed week! {hugs}
Praise to to God
May you sense God’s incredible love and grace in your life this week, Sharmila. 🙂
Thanx Diane,you have really inspired and guided me on how to pray.
Oh, Leah, I’m so glad this post was so helpful to you.
May God bless you and help you as you walk with him in prayer. {hugs}