Here's a powerful point about prayer I picked up from Paul Miller, the author of the book A Praying Life...
The way to more consistent and effective prayer is not more discipline but more desperation.
Hmm... let's unpack that a bit.
Most of us know we need to do more praying. And as we realize this, we tend to ratchet up the discipline.
This may help us pray for a while, but soon enough our prayer lives tend to slip back to the level they were at before.
But... when we feel desperate, things are different.
Desperation naturally leads us to pray... because we see with our hearts how much we need God to intervene... and this makes us more eager to pray.
So a key to better praying is...
Realize how much you need God's help to change the things you are most concerned about.
Feel your desperation, and make a habit of turning to Him in prayer and humble dependence.
This shouldn't be terribly hard to do... as there are plenty of things -- personally and culturally -- where we're desperate for God to help us.
Be encouraged also in knowing...
The Lord's ears are turned to those who turn to Him in this way.
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles (Psalm 34:17).
The more we make a habit of shedding our self-sufficiency and embracing our dependence on our Maker, the more powerful and effective our prayers become.
When it comes to prayer, desperation beats discipline.
Ponder and practice this week.
Get Dominion,