“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:6 NKJV

Prayer is:

• relational
• intimate
• important

But do you flounder with how to pray effectively, intentionally, at times?

The apostles did and asked Jesus. He gave them an example in Matthew 6:9-13; the Lord’s Prayer, as we know it. This doesn’t mean we should only pray this prayer. Jesus was giving us an outline.

I want to share a few other methods I have learned and tried.

• The first is the A.C.T.S. style, which is based on the Lord’s Prayer;

– A – Adoration-giving glory to God,

– C – confession – humbling ourselves before God

– T – thanksgiving

– S – supplication – presenting our needs and requests.

• Beth Moore practices a similar method first thing in the morning. Then she goes to her office and works on a prayer sheet (available online) for her supplications. She recommends keeping a yearly journal, starting with a letter to the Lord. Here you will reflect on the past year, your hopes and dreams for the new year, and possibly pray and look for a key verse for the year.
• In his book, A Praying Life, Paul Miller explains how to create a prayer journal using one or two pages for each family member, and other areas of your life you want to pray about, such as the sick, church, friends, etc.

You can try these methods and discover which resonates most with you, but you don’t have to use them. Often, I simply choose a book of the Bible, read a passage or two, journal what I believe the Lord is saying to me, and then pray about it with him. If you choose this style, remember to include a plan to pray for others. It’s okay to change it up. We don’t want to get legalistic about it, but keep our prayer life fresh.

Some people prefer popcorn prayers. They pray for people or circumstances whenever the Lord brings them to mind. I do this as well. It resonates with Brother Lawrence’s book, Practicing the Presence of God, where every day and every moment is an opportunity to be in prayer. But we see in Scripture that the Lord frequently carved out large chunks of time to talk with his Father.

Have you ever had seasons or moments when words escaped you? Days when you felt too depleted to pray?

We can become physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually drained. I find it very comforting that Scripture tells us the Holy Spirit groans on our behalf, even when we don’t have words or energy. I occasionally copy out prayers I’ve read or Scripture verses that deeply resonate with me, and write them on index cards. Then, when those dry times come or I require inspiration or encouragement, I pull one out and read it.

The Lord understands and already knows what is in our hearts, but he wants a conversation, a relationship. He desires to walk with us again “in the cool of the day”, like he did with Adam and Eve in Eden, even if we simply sit in his presence, and let the Holy Spirit groan on our behalf.

The more time we spend with someone, the better we get to know the intonations and inflections of their voice. Every mother knows the sound of her child’s voice in a crowd, and a wife immediately recognizes her husband’s voice when she hears it. The same is true for any meaningful relationship.

Our Good Father, our Abba (Hebrew for Daddy), wants us to talk to Him and learn the sound of His voice. This happens through prayer, studying who He is, and getting to know Him in an ever-deepening relationship.

We each hear God differently, however.

• Maybe you hear God speak almost verbally.
• Or you just know when God wants you to do something. You feel a great pressure or sense that you are to go somewhere or do something.
• Perhaps you simply see words impressed in your mind to speak, or that guide you.
• Do you see images, visions or have dreams and know things you shouldn’t be able to?

When we moved back south, we attended different churches, over several weeks, to decide where we should go. Driving home from a visit to one, we were discussing our options. Suddenly, I clearly heard a male voice say, “Bluewater.” I turned quickly to my son, who was sitting in the back and asked,

  “What did you say?”

He frowned at me and denied saying anything. But even before I asked the question, I realized it wasn’t his voice. We’ve attended Bluewater ever since. I don’t normally hear God like that. Other times, I know he’s speaking to me, but not verbally. However, I always wait to see if the Lord confirms it, which he often does through scriptures I’m reading, worship songs or what I hear through others.

How do I know it’s the Lord?

As we practice prayer, resting in the Lord’s presence, and studying His Word, we begin to discern what is His voice, our own voice or the enemy’s. The Lord speaks in simple terms, convicts yet encourages, and never condemns or belittles.

It also helps to share what you hear with close Bible-believing family, friends or your pastor to get their feedback.

But when should we pray?

We’ll talk about this in my next blog. I look forward to seeing you there!

May the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ saturate you, as you linger in His presence and Word.

Be well!

Patricia