Six Keys to a Vibrant Prayer Life
There are a number of reasons Christian organizations do not grow, but perhaps the most logical reason is identified in Jeremiah 10:21, “The shepherds of my people have lost their senses. They no longer seek wisdom from the LORD. Therefore, they fail completely, and their flocks are scattered.”
Andrew Murray wrote, “The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history.” Prayerlessness breaks the circuit of spiritual power.
I believe there at least six keys to a vibrant payer life.
Pray DAILY.
In today’s fast-paced ministry environment, it is tempting to make prayer a “B” item on our action list. After all, we’re busy! Yet, prayer is the most valuable thing a Christian will do every day. John Bunyan said, “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.”
Pray FIRST.
If you put your prayer time late in the day, something is sure to invade the time. Make prayer the first action item each day. E. M. Bounds said, “If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day.”
Pray UP.
Oswald Chambers said, “”We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.” Most of our prayers have a “down here” focus. We pray for ourselves, for our needs, for the things we’d like today. Try praying UP, focusing on the Father. Praise Him. Honor Him. Glorify Him. You will be UP-lifted in the process.
Pray OUT.
When you have a need, you can and should take it to the Father, but most prayers should go out, on behalf of others, not “in” on self. Praying for our needs is seldom as invigorating as praying for others. Richard Halverson said, “No place is closed to intercessory prayer. No continent – no nation – no organization – no city – no office. There is no power on earth that can keep intercession out.”
Pray BIG.
Have you a mustard seed’s worth of faith? I am sure you have at least that much. That is enough to move a mountain! When you pray, ask for God to accomplish extraordinary things—through you. Watchman Nee wrote, “Our prayers lay the track down which God’s power can come.”
Pray CONTINUALLY.
A dedicated prayer time is important; an attitude of prayer is vital. “Pray without ceasing,” Paul instructs us (1 Thess. 5:17 KJV). Let prayers rise from your heart throughout the day-in thanks for daily bread, in intercession for others, in praise for the day, in instant confession of sin. Pray.
I urge you not to go another day without a vibrant experience of prayer. Andrew Murray: “Time alone with the Lord Jesus each day is the indispensable condition of growth and power.”
You are loved.
Stan
Photo: FreeDigitalPhotos.net/antpkr
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