Wow, this #SummerSizzleBlogHop is going by fast. We are now on the fourth week sharing Top Posts from 9 Bloggers. As a Blogger I love it because I get a writing break plus I get to share some blog posts that is already ranking as top blog posts from eight other Christian bloggers.
It’s a win-win situation for me and you!
Today I have one of my favorite Bloggers sharing her blog post about Understanding Prayer, how to develop a prayer life and 10 Simple Ways to add it to your day. Melanie Redd is someone that I know for a fact that doesn’t just write about her love for Christ but walks it out as an example.
Melanie is someone that has exemplified a prayer warrior. I have literally woken up many times to messages from her early in the early morning letting me know that she was either just praying for me or asking me if there were any prayer requests for me or my family before she started to pray.
It truly is a blessing to have someone across the country praying like for me and my family!
I pray you receive Melanie’s wisdom on prayer with a open and ready heart today!
Start a consistent prayer life today. Here are ten ways to add prayer to your life daily. Share on XRecent Summer Sizzle Blog Post:
How to embrace God’s Grace in our Insecurities
How to build a Consistent Prayer Life
What Christian Bloggers wish you knew
It is one of the most honest statements anyone has made to me in a long time.
This beautiful young mom shared her heart recently when she told me:
“I’m just not very good at praying.
I don’t really know how.
So, I don’t pray… at all.
But, I’d like to change that.”
How do I start to pray?
Lately, I am talking to many of you who want to understand more about HOW to pray.
You desire to pray, but you don’t know where to begin.
And, you may be embarrassed to ask for help in this area. You hate to raise your hand in a group and ask for some basic instructions on how to get started.
Or, you may be one of my friends who wants to take your prayer life to the next level. What a wonderful goal!
Whether you are a prayer newbie, a prayer novice, a prayer wimp, or a prayer warrior – you can improve and enhance your prayer life.
Scripture tells us to, “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, NKJV)
The New Living Translation of this verse suggests that we, “Never stop praying.”
Is this possible?
Can we really learn to pray as a regular part of our day?
Absolutely!
We can learn to pray!
And, it doesn’t have to be complicated!
As a child, I was taught that all prayer involved a bowed head, a quiet posture, closed eyes, and folded hands.
As an adult, I’m so thankful that we can pray in any place, position, posture, or situation.
There is NO limitation on prayer – except not doing it!
Ready to try praying?
Ready to add more prayer to your day?
Here are 10 Surprisingly Simple Ways to Add Prayer to Your Day:
One – Say “Good Morning” to the Lord.
- Acknowledge Him as you begin your day.
- Look toward heaven and speak to Him.
- Spend a few moments at the first of your day in the Word.
- Talk to Him as you are getting dressed, driving carpool, or driving to work.
To look to heaven and acknowledge God each day is to PRAY!
Two – Share your needs as they arise.
- Make your needs known to the Lord throughout the day.
- As needs arise, pray.
- When you need wisdom, ask for it.
- As you think about problems, present them to God and ask for His help.
- If you worry about one of your kids or grandkids, pray for them!
- Talk things over with Him just like you’d talk to a friend.
To talk to God about your cares, problems, and worries is to PRAY!
Three – Thank Him all day long.
- How has He been sweet to you?
- What has He done for you?
- What are 10 things you could stop and thank Him for right now?
- You can thank Him for the sunshine, rain, life, breath, a car to drive, a place to live, food to eat, friends, a job, children, grandchildren, and so much more.
- You can thank Him as you are driving down the street.
To thank the Lord for His goodness and kindness in your life is to PRAY!
Four – Offer sincere praise to Him for His character.
- Take time to consider how awesome He is.
- Go through the alphabet and thank Him for one of His traits that start with each letter. A-Awesome, B-Bountiful, C-Compassionate.
- Look around you and praise God for His creation.
- Praise Him for making gorgeous sunny days or beautiful flowers or refreshing rain.
To praise God with a sincere heart is to PRAY!
Five – Repent as the Spirit convicts you.
- Agree with God as He puts some sin on your heart.
- Keep short accounts with Him.
- Ask for His help to make things right with others as needed.
- Check in with Him often and ask Him if there is anything you need to confess.
- Think of it as keeping things right and reconciled.
To admit our sin to God and make things right is to PRAY!
Six – Make appeals to the Lord.
- Just as a lawyer would appeal to a judge, you can appeal to God.
- Discuss your concerns and frustrations with Him.
- Talk things over with Him just as you would talk to a close friend.
- Express your deepest hurts, needs, desires, passions, and wishes to the Lord. Share your heart with Him.
To pour out your heart to God & appeal to Him is to PRAY!
Philippians 4:6 encourages us to,
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
Seven – Think about Him.
- Silently direct your thoughts to Him during the day.
- Lift your eyes to heaven and focus on Him for a few seconds.
- Think about how much you love Him.
To think about the Lord and tell Him you love Him is to PRAY!
Eight – Sing to Him.
- Raise your voice and sing.
- Turn up the praise music and sing along.
- Singing is a form of prayer!
- If you can’t sing, hum the tune and think about the words!
- Or, just listen to the words of a wonderful hymn or inspirational song.
To sing or hum lyrics/words of praise to the Lord is to PRAY!
Nine – Listen for His voice.
- Tune your ears to listen for His voice.
- Allow Him to speak to you through a friend, the Bible, a sermon, music, and even a beautiful sunset.
In John 10:27-28, Jesus teaches, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
To tune in and listen for the Lord to speak is to PRAY!
Ten – Say “Good Night” to the Father.
- Close out your day with Him.
- Go to sleep thinking about Him and talking to Him.
To tell the Father Good Night is to PRAY!
Mix all of these up. Use them as needed and in any order.
Just start!
Jump in!
It doesn’t have to be fancy, it just has to be attempted!
Melanie is a Christian blogger, Motivational Speaker, Author, and Marketing and Social Media Consultant. She’s married to Randy and mom to two awesome college students. God’s grace never ceases to amaze her.
You can find out more about Melanie & her ministry at www.melanieredd.com.
You can connect with Melanie here:
Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter
The Ministry of Hope is all about helping others to succeed in ministry and in life. All of our messages, written materials, blog posts, and resources are designed to offer hope and encouragement.
christiancatholicmedia says
For me, it is very hard to be consistent in my prayers every time I got too busy. And when I stopped praying, it is also hard to go back again. You’re right, there are some people who don’t know where to start again in praying. I tell you, this blog helps me a lot right now. It reminds me to go back in my prayer life again.
[email protected] says
That means so much to me that this blog has encouraged you in your prayer life. Prayer is such a intimate time with God. It is so refreshing and reviving. I pray you continue to stay encouraged and build a mighty prayer life.
Sue says
I found your blog in a roundabout way Carmen, and now have also found Melanie’s wonderful blog. Thank you for sharing, especially on prayer which is often a struggle for me. To have such a helpful list is lovely, thanks Melanie for your suggestions xx
[email protected] says
So glad you found us Sue! Thank you for taking time to read and leave a comment!
Brittany says
I assume all self-talk are my conversations with God. I know that may be a bit extreme but it makes me feel connected at all time…an ongoing conversation with a close friend. At times, I take specific times out to really focus and get on my knees or in a quiet place. At other times, I pray in the grocery store or while I’m walking to the copier at work, or playing games with my children.
[email protected] says
It is not extreme at all! I am the exact same way and I believe that’s how God wants it to be for us. To be fully committed to being connected with Him daily!
Melanie Redd says
Thanks for sharing my post today, Carmen!
It’s a blessing to join you in ministry today.
Sure do appreciate you~
Melanie
[email protected] says
Love you Melanie. I am so thankful for our friendship! xoxo