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Power of Prayer

Prayer is our way of communicating with God. We acknowledge God and express our gratitude; ask for guidance and direction in our decisions; ask for forgiveness for the mistakes we have made; seek comfort when we are stressed or sad; and call on Him to strengthen our faith.  

Some common barriers to our prayer life  

We know that prayer is a fundamental aspect of our Christian life and it’s a vital part of our discipleship. But sometimes there can be barriers that can hinder our prayer lives, and distract us from our communication with God. Maybe you’ve experienced some of the common barriers that people come up against: 

  • Struggle with distractions and interruptions during the time you’ve scheduled for prayer

  • Don’t feel worthy or confident enough to pray on behalf of others

  • Not sure of or know what to pray for

  • Feel like God is not hearing our prayers 

 The Importance of Being Intentional with Your Prayers 

 In the Bible, Jesus teaches us that we should pray intentionally. He lets us know that we should ask for what we want and need. And we should not just think of our own needs, but also the needs of others. Jesus tells us to be "intentional" in our prayers.

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” 

 How to Be Intentional with Your Prayers 

 Our spiritual practice of prayer is deeply personal and it helps us connect more deeply with our faith. Here are six ways to become more intentional about praying:

  1. Designate a special place in your home, a quiet space. Decorate it with items that inspire you, your Bible, candles, etc. 

  2. Dedicate a specific time each day to pray. It may be early morning or in the evening. Setting aside the same time every day will help you maintain consistency.

  3. Before you begin to pray, take a few minutes to quiet your mind and focus on your intentions.

  4. When you pray be present at the moment. Try not to let your mind wander or get distracted by outside thoughts. Focus and let your prayers flow naturally.

  5. Write down specific things you want to pray for. Prayer prompts or a prayer journal can help you focus your thoughts.

  6. Don’t forget to express gratitude for the blessings in your life. You want to thank God for all of the good things that you have.

Remember that praying is your communication with God, it’s a personal practice and your method may be different than others. By exploring different approaches, you can find what works best for you to have more purpose and power in your prayers.