Are You Struggling in Your Prayer Life?
by Janis Cox
This past Wednesday on my own blog, He Cares for Us, I wrote about true worship. I realized that sometimes I am not worshipping with my whole spirit. I am sometimes not truly present when I sing or even when I listen to sermons. (That doesn’t happen as much any more as I like to take notes and that keeps me focused.)
As I became more intentional in worship I felt closer to God and my worship became worshipful.
I have struggled in the same way in my prayer life. Sometimes I feel as though I am going through the motions. I have an agenda – something that needs to be done – to tick off my list. But am I connecting with God?
Are my prayers – prayerful? (tweet this)
I tried a new discipline in March after reading the book Wonderstruck by Margaret Feinberg. I tried praying only 3 word prayers.
Yes 3 word prayers.
Because I was intentional in this I found my prayers became more specific; they took me longer to think and compose and they brought me closer to God.
I am now leading a Bible study with the Wonderstruck Bible Study. We are studying session 4 this week, a chapter on prayer. Once again Margaret reminded me of being intentional, not blathering on and on, or having as she calls is a “noversation”. I am going to try this once again for this week and see if my passion and connection will resurface.
How do you struggle in your prayer life?
Related Posts
- How Do I Have a Conversation With God?
- Do I Live With a Lid on My Prayer Life? (underthecoverofprayer.wordpress.com)
- Short Prayers week (christianpf.com)
- When You’re Wonderstruck By the Answer to “Why?” (redemptionsbeauty.com)
I link to:
Janis Cox
Janis, a former school teacher and small business owner, found a new passion in writing in her retirement. She has published two devotionals and a number of articles for magazines and a Bible study. She is owner of Under the Cover of Prayer and moderates the site. She is also a contributor to a group blog called Family and Faith Matters. Janis has completed a children’s book called Tadeo Turtle. She is the author and watercolour illustrator. Word Alive has published Tadeo Turtle. See more information at Janis’s Website.
Excellent write-up. I definitely appreciate this site.
Continue the good work!
Dear Janis,
I was just thinking of you and then I linked up behind you at Laura’s…Happy to read your thoughts…another funny coincidence is that I also wrote about prayer for my post there 🙂 Blessings to you as you pray 🙂
I think I do quite a bit of that “noversation,” unfortunately. I was quite taken with the concept of the 3-word prayer when I read Wonderstruck a couple of months ago … but I haven’t tried it out yet!
Michelle,
It is funny how “noversation” gets in. I have found this week that the 3 word prayers do help me focus. Keeping it simple.
Blessings,
Janis
Dear Janis
I hear your heart, my friend! Once I started to talk to our Pappa as if He was (which He truly is) my best friend and also in my everyday language, I soon began to experience wonderful fellowship with Him. I found the secret in total simplicity, honesty, openness and truth!
Blessings
Mia
Mia,
Yes and I do talk in every day language but sometimes I don’t focus. So this discipline this week will be to focus and using 3 words helps me do that.
Blessings,
Janis