Prayer

I am looking to improve in my prayer life and want to get back on track with God in this area. I feel like I got out of sinc with God and want to be in a more effective place in prayer.

 

 James 5:16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

 From http://bible.org/article/spiritual-growth-study-guide-prayer

Everything in bold is from the article

Seven Habits of Maturing Christians

1. In order to grow we need to eat—The Bible

2. In order to grow we need to breathe—Prayer

3. In order to grow we need good spiritual hygiene—Confession of sin

4. In order to grow we need a caring family—Fellowship

5. In order to grow we need regular exercise—Service

6. In order to grow we need protection—Temptation

7. In order to grow we need to give—Stewardship

 

Where are you in your prayer life ?

Casual Praying   this would be me most of the time

Mealtime. Bedtime. When you have to. When it’s expected of you. Nothing wrong with that. But your praying tends to be rather routine and quick.

 Committed Praying- this is me some of the time

 This kind of praying is focused. It is purposeful. You’re getting serious about prayer because there is a burden on your heart that is driving you to your knees. This is the sort of praying you do when your teenager gets his driver’s license.

Combat Praying -unfortunately this is not me often enough

Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the sill of God, mature and fully assured.

 

Six Crucial Elements to Effective Prayer based on the Our Father prayer.

A. The first crucial element to effective prayer is Praise. Begin by expressing your love to God.  God inhabits the praises of his people and satan hates our praise because God draws near

 B. The second crucial element to effective prayer is Purpose: Commit yourself to God’s purpose and will for your life. 

          C. The third crucial element to effective prayer is Provision: Ask God to provide for your     needs.

         D. The fourth crucial element to effective prayer is Pardon: Ask God’s forgiveness for your sins.

        E. The fifth crucial element to effective prayer is Purity: Let go of your grudges and bitterness

        F. The sixth crucial element to effective prayer is Protection: Ask for divine protection.

      G. Relationship

This prayer begins in the context of relationship—our Father. If I lose sight of the fact that I have a relationship with a father in heaven, my prayers will deteriorate.

The foundation for effective prayer is a relationship with a loving Heavenly Father. Relationships thrive on communication, and wither without it. God’s listening, are you talking?

I think my prayer life went down the tubes when I lost my praise.  I feel God is helping bring that all back. I need to be patient and let my heart be renewed.