Prayer can be challenging for many people, including myself. It can be difficult to focus and maintain a regular prayer routine, especially when we don't see immediate results. But there are resources available that can help us pray more effectively.
By learning more about prayer and being reminded of its importance, we may be more likely to pray more often. Here are three resources that I've found helpful:
1. Article: 10 Things You Should Know about Prayer
Here’s an excerpt from the article.
Prayer is talking with God.
It’s easy to complicate prayer. There is a place for detailed, theologically-precise definitions of prayer. I could write a paragraph-length one that included most of the points found in this article. And while it might be a thorough and helpful explanation (more than a definition) of prayer, it wouldn’t be memorable. So while there is a lot of important biblical information to understand about prayer, at its essence prayer is simply talking with God.
Read the entire article here.
2. Sermon: Prayer in the Psalms: Discovering How to Pray.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of studying the Psalms as a guide for prayer. He argues that the Psalms provide a wide variety of expressions for prayer, including praise, confession, petition, and lament. By reading and meditating on the Psalms, we can learn how to pray more authentically and meaningfully and develop a deeper relationship with God. Additionally, Keller suggests that the Psalms can help us to process our emotions, and to find hope and comfort in challenging times. Overall, the sermon encourages us to turn to the Psalms as a powerful resource for prayer and spiritual growth.
3. Book: A Praying Life by Paul Miller.
Quotes from the book:
The heart is one of God’s biggest mission fields.
In the face of Adam and Eve's evil, God takes up needle and thread and patiently sews fine leather clothing for them (see Genesis 3:21). He covers their divided, hiding selves with love. The same God permits his Son to be stripped naked so we could be clothed. God is not cynical in the face of evil. He loves.
Summary:
"A Praying Life" by Paul E. Miller is a Christian book that focuses on how to develop a deeper and more meaningful prayer life. It emphasizes the importance of connecting with God in a personal and intimate way, rather than simply reciting rote prayers. It also discusses the role of prayer in daily life, and how it can help us navigate through difficult situations and struggles. Additionally, the book offers practical advice and suggestions for developing a consistent prayer practice and fostering a deeper relationship with God. Overall, "A Praying Life" is a guide to help readers develop a more authentic and powerful prayer life.
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.
Philippians 4:6–7